Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns Star On Why Miguel Cardoso’s ‘Rigid’ Team Cannot Win Champions League

Former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Katlego "Mahoota" Mashego has given reasons why he thinks his ex-team stands little chance in the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns are considered one of the favourites to lift the Champions League crown among the likes of Al Ahly, Esperance and holders Pyramids, due to their experience and quality as well as the fact that they reached last season’s final.

However, Mashego, who played for Sundowns from 2013-2016, thinks Miguel Cardoso’s team lags behind the others in a number of key areas and will find it hard to lift the coveted trophy.

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“In the eras of previous coaches, they had a way of playing…entertaining, scoring goals and it was a joy to watch,” Mashego said on PrimeSportsWithMahlatse.

“It was football that most people would have wanted Sundowns to play but to a certain extent, it is a bit rigid now with the new coach. It is not as fluent as it was with the previous coach.

“Results are there but I think they are also lacking in terms of where they want to be, especially in the Champions League.

“I do not think they are strong enough for the Champions League. They should be because they are on top of the log in their group, but don’t think it is a Sundowns that can go all the way and win the Champions League.

“They have a chance but they are not as fluent or as a strong as maybe a couple of seasons ago,” he added of Sundowns, who top their Champions League group with five points from three games, same as Sudan’s Al-Hilal, who they play on Friday.

While Sundowns have brought in quality players in the last two transfer windows, signing Portuguese midfielders Nuno Santos and Miguel Reisinho in the off-season as well as Colombian forward Brayan Leon this month, Mashengo says the departure of playmaker Lucas Ribeiro and the loss of form of aging captain Themba Zwane, who is 36, has robbed the team of star quality.

“They have the players, brought in the younger ones from the MDC team which is very brilliant to promote within their own structures which encourages the others to push for that first-team spot,” he said.

“They have signed a couple of European and South American players which they always do but the quality can be the same.

“They lost Ribeiro, a player who was very instrumental for them, we saw what he did in the Club World Cup and he was a big loss for them and obviously your Mshishi [Themba Zwane] is getting a bit old. He cannot be the same player anymore, the older you get, the game starts leaving you behind.”

Sundowns last won the Champions League in 2016 under legendary coach Pitso Mosimane and had not reached another final until last season, when Cardoso’s team lost 3-1 in the final to Egyptian side Pyramids.