Miguel Cardoso predicts a tough draw in the Caf Champions League! | OneFootball

The Portuguese expects a difficult path for his team in the Caf Champions League.

Miguel Cardoso - getty images

Having masterfully guided his team into the group stages of the Caf Champions League, Mamelodi Sundowns' coach Miguel Cardoso is casting a wary eye towards the upcoming draw. Despite his team's commanding 7-1 aggregate victory over Nigeria's Remo Stars, sealed by a 2-0 second-leg win at Loftus Versfeld, the manager refuses to be lulled into a false sense of security.

The air of celebration is tempered by Cardoso's pragmatic outlook. For him, the draw next Monday is not a gateway to an easy path, but a prelude to a significant challenge. He anticipates a complex and arduous journey ahead in Africa's most prestigious club competition.

"What I expect is a draw that can be tricky and very difficult," Cardoso stated, his perspective undeterred by his team's recent dominant display. He sees beyond the glitter of big names, warning of the hidden dangers that lurk throughout the draw. “There will be teams in pot three and four that have quite powerful football. But even if they will not be in our group, there are teams that don't have such names but can be tricky to play against, especially when we go away from home.”

His final words served as both a caution and a directive, a clear message that talent alone is not enough on the continental stage. "We need to take the competition as serious as it is."