Sundowns, inspired by Portuguese duo, are primed for Mokwena's MC Alger

As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for a pivotal clash against former coach Rulani Mokwena, the spotlight shines on the inspirational performances of their Portuguese imports, Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho.

The duo played a critical role in Sundowns’ 3-1 victory over Saint-Éloi Lupopo during Saturday’s CAF Champions League Group C opener at Loftus Versfeld, setting a positive tone for their upcoming encounter in Algeria on Friday.

The match highlighted Santos’s prowess, as he scored twice and was integral in the build-up to Marcelo Allende’s goal, showcasing the strong partnership between the Portuguese players.

Coach Miguel Cardoso praised their contributions, stating: “I think it is important to highlight what the team can do together. Obviously, when players reach a good level and put all the effort they have together on the pitch, the team will profit from it.”

Cardoso expressed confidence in his squad’s quality, commending Santos’s high performance and emphasising Reisinho’s promising debut.

“Consistency will speak for itself,” he added, underlining the significance of collective cohesion across the team as they pursue CAF glory.

“I think it is important to highlight what the team can do together. Obviously, when players reach a good level, and they put all the effort they have together on the pitch, the team will profit from it,” said Cardoso.

“Our team has many high-quality players. We saw what Nuno did at a very high level. Miguel is in his first match in this competition, and he also delivered a good pass, something we worked on.”

As usual, post-match questions drew comparisons with Sundowns’ former matchwinner Lucas Ribeiro.

“I don’t like to individualise performances too much. I think we have players who could rise, not replace Ribeiro. We don’t expect anyone to replace anyone; we want them to bring quality to the squad. We depend on quality, as coaches,” Cardoso said.

Looking ahead, Sundowns are gearing up for a challenging fixture against MC Alger. The team will not only face Mokwena but also a formidable opponent eager to recover from a rocky start to their campaign after losing to Al Hilal of Sudan in their Champions League opener.

Cardoso remained cautious regarding the upcoming duel, insisting the match is about Sundowns’ collective strength rather than personal connections. He deflected questions surrounding the emotional implications of facing his former assistant.

As the South African champions prepare, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see whether their latest triumph can propel Sundowns towards further success in the CAF Champions League.