Cardoso refuses to get carried away

MIGUEL CARDOSO was understandably not viewing Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-1 MTN8 semifinal first-leg draw at Orlando Pirates as an advantage in the way many coaches might have. In a competition where the away goal carries significant weight, the temptation would be to see the Brazilians as holding the upper hand.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

It could well have been that the Portuguese coach was stung by the manner in which his team allowed Pirates back into the game late on, with a defensive mistake that saw Kamogelo Sebelele cancel out Teboho Mokoena’s headed opener.

A clean sheet would have left him more confident ahead of Saturday's second-leg tie at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, though he knows Pirates always have a goal in them.

Deep in the bowels of Orlando Stadium, as the thousands who had packed the historic arena made their way home content with the scoreline and entertained by the football on display, Cardoso himself appeared a satisfied man.

“This is a draw and it does not feel like a loss” Cardoso said in response to a question about conceding so late.