Cardoso Knows Esperance Strong Points, Believes Mamelodi Sundowns Can Still Exploit Them

Miguel Cardoso is aware of Esperance's loyalty to their system. However, such is the trust he has in Mamelodi Sundowns' 'own process' that he believes theyll be able to crack the visitor's code.

Cardoso will lead Mamelodi Sundowns in their CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esperance at Loftus Versfeld this afternoon kick-off 3pm. This is a clash that the Brazilians will need to perform well in if they are to win the tie, including the second leg in Tunisia over the weekend, to reach the semi-final.

The Brazilians will head into the clash in the nations capital high on confidence, having backed Cardoso to equip them with all the intelligence he has on Esperance.

The Portuguese coach managed the Tunisian giants last term, beating Sundowns in the two-legged semi-final before losing the final to the Club of the Century, Al Ahly. Given his run last season on the continent and against Sundowns these are some of the reasons that led to his appointment by the South African champions late last year.

Cardoso, speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, admitted that a lot has changed at Esperance since his reign, but he knows the teams strengths.