Miguel Cardoso reacts to Mamelodi Sundowns defeat in Morocco

This was also the club’s first defeat since the Portuguese mentor took over from Manqoba Mngqithi nearly a month ago.

Sundowns finished the game with nine men following red cards to midfielder Bathusi Aubaas as well as defender Khuliso Mudau. Cardoso gave his assessment.

"It was obviously a difficult match, I think that [in the] first half especially we had to cope with a lot of pressure that reduces the spaces to play. We were not able to find the spaces that were available especially at the back on the defense, they put in their defensive line very high. So, we struggled to find the spaces but what really changed the game is the way we suffered a goal in the last minute of the first half," Cardoso said.

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The coach believes they were unable to then manage what looked a chaotic clash between two African giants.

"Always mentally, emotionally difficult to deal with a goal on the last minutes when we need to reorganise the team, we had just lost one player so we needed to arrive on half time in order for us to make all the arrangements and tactically reposition the team in the best way,” the coach added.

“Even suffering the goal we did, it was clear that in the second half, we managed and we controlled the game. We just gave some opportunities in counter-attack for Raja.”

The reigning Betway Premiership champions next face DR Congo outfit AS Maniema Union, who held The Brazilians to a goalless draw the last time they met in Tshwane in the group stage opener.