Mamelodi Sundowns are reportedly prepared to give head coach Miguel Cardoso more time despite the club's disappointing elimination from the CAF Champions League, with his previous achievements potentially helping him retain the trust of the club's management.

The Brazilians suffered a major setback on Friday night after being knocked out of Africa's premier club competition by Angolan side Wiliete SC during the preliminary rounds. The elimination ended Sundowns' impressive run of qualifying for the Champions League group stages for 11 consecutive seasons.

Despite the unexpected setback, reports suggest that the club is not rushing to make a decision about Cardoso's future. Instead, the management is reportedly considering his overall record and recent achievements rather than reacting immediately to the disappointing result.

The 54-year-old Portuguese coach strengthened his position at Chloorkop last season after guiding Masandawana to their second CAF Champions League title. He has also enjoyed further success this season, winning the MTN8 and the African-Asian-Pacific Cup.

According to reports from South African football media, these accomplishments could work in Cardoso's favour as Sundowns assess their next move following the continental disappointment.

How Sundowns Were Eliminated

Sundowns entered the second leg against Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld knowing they needed a strong performance to secure qualification after the first encounter in Angola ended in a goalless draw.

Tashreeq Matthews gave the Pretoria-based side an early lead, raising hopes that the defending champions would progress to the next round.

However, Wiliete responded after the break, with striker Cristóvão Mabululu scoring an equaliser early in the second half.

The match eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, allowing the Angolan club to advance on the away-goals rule.

The result was a significant disappointment for Sundowns, who had won the continental competition only months earlier and were expected to challenge for the trophy again.

Following the elimination, Cardoso acknowledged that his team had created enough scoring opportunities to win the encounter but failed to take advantage of them.

The Portuguese tactician also accepted collective responsibility for the outcome, making it clear that the disappointment involved the players, coaching staff and everyone associated with the club.

Cardoso Still Has More Trophies to Pursue

Although Sundowns' Champions League exit has placed the technical team under increased scrutiny, the club still has several important competitions to contest this season.

Masandawana will now focus on their domestic commitments, including the Betway Premiership, the Carling Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup. They are also preparing for the CAF Super Cup final against USM Alger, scheduled for 8 November.

Cardoso has encouraged his players to respond positively to the setback, acknowledging the disappointment while stressing that their campaign is far from over.

For Sundowns supporters, attention will now turn to how quickly the team can recover and return to winning ways. The club will be expected to maintain its competitive standards and ensure that the Champions League elimination does not undermine its ambitions in other competitions.

While questions remain about Cardoso's long-term future, his previous achievements could prove important in determining how the club responds to the situation.

For now, the Portuguese coach's immediate task will be to help Sundowns recover from the disappointment, improve their performances and continue competing for the trophies that remain available this season.

Ultimately, the results and performances in the coming weeks could play a significant role in shaping the club's decision regarding Cardoso's future.

https://x.com/Soccer_Laduma/status/2114764525727609152