But Cardoso warns against complacency as Sundowns face the little-known side

As Mamelodi Sundowns shift their focus to the CAF Champions League title defence with a tricky away clash against Angolan outfit Wiliete in the second preliminary round on Sunday at 5pm, coach Miguel Cardoso is well aware of the challenge awaiting his side.

The Angolans may not be well known, but they’ve enjoyed an incredible start to their domestic season, sitting atop the Girabola standings with 16 points from six matches and remaining unbeaten.

While Sundowns received a first-round bye as high seeds, Wiliete earned their second-round spot after thumping Seychelles side Foresters 5-0 on aggregate.

Cardoso said they know what to expect and urged his team not to take Wiliete for granted as they look to capitalise on the first leg.

“We should respect this qualifying round in a very strong and aggressive way. The draw was not friendly,” Cardoso stated.

“It’s obvious that they’re a team that will create problems for us, and we need to be focused.” — Miguel Cardoso

“Sometimes we face teams where we know, ‘We will do it’, but this is a tough one, and they [Wiliete] are leading the Angolan championship. After we arrived back from Durban, we were already studying them, and it’s obvious that they’re a team that will create problems for us, and we need to be focused.”

With a packed schedule from now on, and Masandawana participating on all fronts, Cardoso said he would rotate his squad to keep the players fresh and asked supporters to ”support our technical decisions ... because it will be clear that we’re managing the group”.

“Managing the group means putting in those who are showing us they’re in better condition to play. We also need to manage motivation and keep the group permanently on the edge.

“We know that there’s competition for places and there are players that can play at any moment. Fawaaz Basadien had a good game yesterday against Richards Bay, but in the [MTN8] final it was Divine Lunga and Aubrey Modiba who played.”