Miguel Cardoso demands stronger Mamelodi Sundowns showing in Champions League decider

The Brazilians were held to a goalless draw by the Angolan outfit in Lubango on Sunday, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return fixture at Loftus Versfeld, where Sundowns will be desperate to secure their place in the group stages.

Cardoso was left frustrated by his team's inability to turn their dominance into goals, admitting that they lacked the cutting edge required to break down a stubborn Wiliete defence.

"I think we could've done better, we could've had more control and could've had more aggression in the box," the Downs said after the game.

The Sundowns mentor believes his players must raise their performance levels in the return leg, particularly in the final third, if they are to avoid an early setback in their continental campaign.

While the result in Angola was not what the Tshwane giants had hoped for, Cardoso also pointed to fatigue as a factor that affected his team's performance, suggesting that squad management will be important ahead of Friday's encounter.

"Like I said, it was a difficult context to manage. We have to be intentional, to prepare well and give some a rest because it was also clear that there was a little bit of fatigue in some of the players."

The Portuguese coach acknowledged that Sundowns had opportunities to make their advantage count in the first half but struggled to maintain their momentum after the break.

"Despite our intentions, we're not happy with this result. Of course, we could've scored," Cardoso said.

"There were moments in the first half where it seemed the game could become, I wouldn't say easy, but we would create our moments. But in the second half, it was not easy to settle down so we need to change a few things."

With qualification for the group stages still to be decided, Sundowns know they must deliver a more convincing display on home soil.

Cardoso insists his team understands what is required to overcome Wiliete and progress to the next stage of the competition.

"We will prepare this match in the best possible way. We need to be stronger than we were," he added.

"Be more aggressive and more offensive. We need to be on the level of the team that wants to state itself in the Champions League."