Sundowns Coach Responds to Journalist: "Have You Watched AS FAR and RS Berkane? If So, You Need to Watch Them Again Because You're Underestimating Them."

Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Portuguese Miguel Cardoso, affirmed that Moroccan clubs AS FAR and RS Berkane should not be underestimated due to their strength. His comments come ahead of the anticipated CAF Champions League final, where the South African team will face one of the two Moroccan sides.

Speaking at the press conference following his team's qualification for the Champions League final, Cardoso stated: "When you face teams like Al Ahly of Egypt, Esperance of Tunisia, or the Moroccan clubs, you need to be very strong in all four phases of the game. If you don't develop the ability within the team to handle all these phases, there will come a moment when the balance tips to the other side."

Responding to a journalist's question, the Portuguese coach clarified: "There's something we shouldn't misunderstand or misinterpret, as suggested in your question. Have you followed AS FAR this season? And have you watched RS Berkane? If so, you need to watch them again, because you seem to be underestimating them."

He continued: "The teams we are talking about, who are playing in the other semi-final, are at the level of Mamelodi Sundowns and Esperance of Tunisia. They have developed very strong teams and exceptional groups of players."

Cardoso concluded: "We completely respect that as we head towards the final. Anyone who thinks the final will be easier than the semi-final is completely mistaken; in fact, it might be even more difficult."

Mamelodi Sundowns qualified for the CAF Champions League final after defeating Esperance of Tunisia 2-0 on aggregate over two legs, setting up a clash with the winner of the AS FAR versus RS Berkane encounter.