Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has shed light on the halftime address that ignited his team's remarkable comeback against AS Maniema.
Trailing 1-0, Sundowns staged a dramatic fightback, with Peter Shalulile netting the equalizer in the 83rd minute and subsequently forcing an own goal from Exaucia Moanda.
This crucial victory injected renewed hope into Sundowns' campaign, having faced challenges in the group stages.
Cardoso revealed that he urged his players to relentlessly pursue a single goal, believing that achieving it would instill the confidence needed to secure a second.
He candidly acknowledged that a draw would have been a preferable outcome to a defeat.
CARDOSO ON WHAT HE SAID TO HIS PLAYERS DURING HALFTIME
“I believe in my players. I told them at half-time that they have to play for one goal. We didn’t need to play for two because that would give us high emotions,” said Cardoso.
“I knew that one would give us the energy to keep fighting for the second one. I told them to believe on the first goal because it would make a difference.
“Even a draw would have been something better to lead us to the next game. One goal would also increase the level of stress on the opponent.
“And to be honest, we risked a lot, we could have been penalised because of that.”
