Sundowns Stay Top as Cardoso Hails Tactical Masterclass in Algeria
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso insists his side outperformed Rulani Mokwena’s MC Alger despite their cagey 0–0 draw in Friday night’s CAF Champions League clash in Douera.
The stalemate keeps the Brazilians top of Group C with four points from two matches, while the Algerian champions remain third with a single point.
Cardoso, speaking after a tense tactical arm-wrestle, praised Mokwena’s defensive organisation but argued that Sundowns had “absolute control” throughout the contest — even without producing decisive chances.
“It was a beautiful match tactically. Two good teams, both very well organised,” Cardoso said. “We wanted to control the match and I think we had absolute control. MC Alger closed the middle very well, pressing with a diamond, taking away the spaces we like to use. But the way we managed the game shows great maturity.”
Cardoso highlighted what he felt were key tactical victories — Sundowns’ structured build-up under pressure, control of the central channels, and limited danger inside their box.
“The history of this game is the control Sundowns had,” he added. “They didn’t want to give us a free player in build-up because that would allow us to attack with more numbers. Still, we found solutions, we controlled the spaces, and the stats reflect that.”
Despite being unable to break down the hosts, Cardoso said a point in Algeria represents valuable progress in a challenging group.
“We wanted three points, of course, but this is one of the most difficult away matches in Africa. The players deserve congratulations for the organisation, the pressure, the calmness. Now we prepare for the future.”
A tactical chess match in North Africa
The encounter — framed by the sub-plot of Cardoso vs Mokwena — was always likely to be tight. MC Alger, stung by defeat on matchday one, focused on closing passing lanes and congesting midfield. Sundowns, meanwhile, were patient, possession-heavy and disciplined, showing the maturity expected of last season’s finalists.
Clear chances were scarce, as both sides refused to open up and risk transition moments.
The draw extends Sundowns’ unbeaten group-stage start, and with their next match to be played at home against Al Hilal, the Tshwane giants now sit in a position of early dominance.
MC Alger, however, face pressure, having collected only one point from their opening two fixtures ahead of a tricky trip to DR Congo to face Saint Eloi Lupopo.