Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League campaign continues to falter after a 1-1 draw against FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo in Lubumbashi, leaving the Brazilians’ quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread.
A Night of Frustration
The clash at TP Mazembe Stadium was anything but straightforward. Sundowns had to claw their way back after falling behind, but the equaliser did little to mask the frustration of head coach Miguel Cardoso.
The Portuguese tactician accused Lupopo of spoiling the rhythm of the game with constant interruptions.
“After they scored, more energy came for Lupopo, more energy came from the stands… and a lot of theatre as well,” Cardoso said. “A lot of stops, a lot of players falling down here and there. It gives nothing to football in the future.”
Cardoso lamented what he described as “dirty tactics” designed to break Sundowns’ momentum, insisting referees must do more to protect the integrity of the competition.
Winless Run Deepens
The draw extends Sundowns’ winless streak to four matches—two defeats and two draws—yielding just two points from a possible twelve. Their only victory in the group stage remains the home fixture against Lupopo earlier in the campaign.
With ten points dropped, the Brazilians’ once-promising run now looks precarious, and pressure is mounting on Cardoso as questions swirl about his ability to steer the team into the knockout rounds.
Bigger Picture
For Sundowns, the challenge is no longer just about scoring goals—it’s about rediscovering their identity in Africa’s premier club competition. For Cardoso, the stakes are personal: his tenure could hinge on whether he can turn this stumbling campaign around before it’s too late.