Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese head coach of Sundowns, spoke about the anticipated atmosphere in the second leg of the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League semifinal match between his team and Al Ahly, which will be held at Cairo International Stadium with a massive crowd. In a press statement, Cardoso confirmed that he doesn't focus on the size of Al Ahly's fan attendance and is confident in his team's ability to perform strongly despite the support from the Egyptian fans.
Cardoso explained, "I apologize for my previous comments about the low attendance of Sundowns supporters in the first leg, but that was just an initial impression when I entered the stadium before the match began. However, once the game started, the stands were filled with fans, and this is normal for me." He added, "I enjoy playing in stadiums full of fans, which is usually the case in CAF Champions League matches, like we saw in Tunisia and other places. We know the fans will support their team, but this does not affect us."
He continued, "I played against Al Ahly's fans last season, and the stadium was packed with supporters, but we enjoyed the atmosphere and played well despite the significant crowd pressure. We love facing such challenges, and the presence of the fans in the stands gives us extra strength."
When asked about the impact of a large fan attendance at Cairo International Stadium, Cardoso responded, "We are ready for this atmosphere, and we won't be affected by Al Ahly's fans. If there are boos or whistles, it means we are performing well, so we will try to silence them with good play on the field." He added, "We have full confidence in our abilities to face this challenge, and we feel that the atmosphere here is very positive. We don’t face any hostility; on the contrary, there's a great enthusiasm within the team, and we consider this match a fantastic experience for us."
Cardoso emphasized that the main goal for his team is to deliver a strong performance without being influenced by the crowd: "We approach the match with great enthusiasm, and we don’t feel any fear from the fans. We will strive to give our best performance in the match, and we believe in our ability to achieve a good result."
The match is expected to witness a large crowd at Cairo International Stadium, with over 52,000 fans anticipated to support Al Ahly in this crucial game. This number of spectators is one of the largest crowds that the match will see, adding more excitement and thrill to the encounter.
Match Schedule: Al Ahly vs. Sundowns in CAF Champions League Semifinal
The second leg of the CAF Champions League semifinal between Al Ahly and Sundowns will take place at 7:00 PM Cairo local time, with both teams aiming to secure a spot in the final of this important tournament. Al Ahly seeks to win at home, while Sundowns hopes to pull off a surprise at Al Ahly's fortress.
The match comes at a crucial time for both teams, with fans eagerly awaiting the result. Cardoso is well aware of the impact of Al Ahly's fan support, but he confirmed that they are fully prepared to handle the pressure.
The key question remains: Will Sundowns be able to overcome the attacking force of Al Ahly, supported by a massive fan base? Or will Al Ahly strengthen its position on home soil amidst the support of its fans? The answer will unfold in the decisive moments of the eagerly awaited match.
Ultimately, the match is expected to be thrilling and filled with excitement, with fans across Africa anxiously awaiting this crucial encounter that will determine which team advances to the 2024-2025 CAF Champions League final.
