No complaints from Cardoso after goalless draw

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Nov 29, 2025. 15:15

Despite drawing, Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso was pleased with his side’s performance in its goalless affair with MC Alger at the Ali la Pointe Stadium in Douera, Algeria, on Friday night.

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in 90 minutes, forcing the teams to settle for a point apiece.

Cardoso described the game as a tactical battle against a stubborn and tough opposition, but was pleased with what he saw from his men.

“I think we saw a good match, a very tactical match. We saw a team from Algeria who tried to close the inside of the field and wait to win the ball on the side and counterattack. We took the responsibility to play, but it wasn’t easy. I think we played a good match, a very good match,” said Cardoso.

The Portuguese tactician clearly enjoyed himself, reveling in the crowd and atmosphere in Algiers.

“It’s a Champions League match, and when you play in a big country with big clubs with a fantastic atmosphere, I enjoyed it a lot. Sometimes there are emotions on the pitch, and it was very important that we focused on the game. I think the team showed a lot of maturity. They understood the different moments of the match,” he said.

“In the end, it’s a point. Of course, we wanted to take three points for South Africa, but we respected the match. It’s good, let’s continue.”

Believing his side controlled the match, Cardoso gave the Algerian team its flowers, praising the quality of football in the country and at MC Alger.

“We controlled the match completely, with all the strategies and tactical positioning we took. That allowed us to control the match. If you look at the statistics of the match, it’s clear. But it’s important to understand that we’re not playing alone. There’s a team on the other side, who have high quality players. Algerian football demands the respect of everyone, all the coaches and all the teams who play at the stadium,” said Cardoso.

With the spoils shared, Sundowns maintained top position in group C with four points, while MC Alger claimed its first point of the campaign and sits third. However, Masandawana could be bounced from top spot as a win for Al-Hilal S.C. over Saint-Éloi Lupopo on Sunday would take the Sudanese side two points clear of the current leaders.

Cardoso is happy with where his side is at the moment, stating there is still a long campaign to come.

“At the moment, we have four points. Last year, we had two points. I think that the competition is very open. There are a lot of matches to play. There are four matches left to play. But at the moment, having four points will allow us to go to the Christmas break in a comfortable and emotional position.”

By Nic Gleeson