Cardozo on Convincing Sundowns and FAR Rabat to Play Without VAR: "We Must Present a Good Image to the World After AFCON Incidents"
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardozo has confirmed his significant role in ensuring the first leg of the CAF Champions League final against FAR Rabat proceeded despite a VAR malfunction. Cardozo stated he convinced all parties to continue playing.
Speaking to the media, Cardozo said: "I witnessed a great deal of sportsmanship among the players, coaches, and technical staff. Even when the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology was not functioning, I spoke with the players and the coach, telling them: 'Guys, we represent Africa. We must present a good image to the world after what happened in the Africa Cup of Nations, and we must play this match. Even without VAR, we have to play it.'"
He added: "I believe it was truly wonderful to see how everyone understood each other. In the end, we exchanged greetings, and the spirit of both teams, coupled with their desire to win, ensured the match did not descend into an undesirable situation."
Cardozo further stated: "These two teams are capable of delivering fantastic football that makes coaches proud and brings pride to Africa, as we are showcasing ourselves to the world. I wanted people in Portugal, and everywhere else, to witness the beauty of football here and recognize that it possesses a level some might not believe exists."
He concluded: "The prevailing perception abroad is that African football is solely about physical challenges and powerful running, with little understanding of its technical or tactical depth. This is not the reality, and we must demonstrate this to the world to establish ourselves in the position we truly deserve."
