COMMENT
The victorious Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates coaches, Miguel Cardoso and Jose Riveiro, have defended their “ugly play” following their CAF Champions League quarter-final triumphs this week.
The two tacticians have come under sharp criticism from football pundits, opposition coaches and fans for their strategies that led to victories.
Moreover, Sundowns’ and Pirates’ opponents failed to score in both the first and second legs of the quarter-finals.
Riveiro’s Pirates executed a plan that offered defensive solidity against their opponents, MC Alger of Algeria, ranked as the fourth-strongest African nation (36th globally) on the Fifa world rankings.
South Africa, as Africa’s No 10, are currently ranked 56th.
A fight erupts after MC Alger lost to Orlando Pirates, during the second leg of the Caf Champions League quarter-final fixture at the Orlando Stadium, Soweto.
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) April 9, 2025
Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers#sport #soccer #CAFCL #orlandopirates #MCAlger pic.twitter.com/Cj9Zirh1IE
In both legs, MC Alger held the upper hand for sustained passages of play.
Yet, after 180 minutes of playing time, they could only muster one shot on target in each match.
Riveiro’s game-plan has allowed Pirates to survive and thrive in high-pressure situations.
This Pirates game-plan is reminiscent of how Gavin Hunt prepared his teams at various clubs over the years.
Typically, his sides – such as Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United – fielded largely average players, but under Hunt’s stewardship, they consistently won trophies.
He remains one of the most decorated coaches in South African football, despite having been let go by SuperSport a few weeks ago.
Cardoso’s Sundowns have relied on a well-drilled backline to absorb pressure and counter at crucial moments.
This tactical approach has proved effective, but has been labelled as ‘ugly’ by critics who advocate for a more free-flowing and attacking style of play.
This approach is a far cry from what Sundowns’ fans have been used to in recent seasons under coaches like Rhulani Mokwena.
He was steadfast in his belief that winning ‘ugly’ was contrary to the fundamental principles of the game.
His vision was that flair and creativity should be celebrated above all else.
However, this philosophy has landed Mokwena in a spot of bother at his current club, Wydad Athletic in Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked nation.
Wydad are three-time CAF Champions League winners, but Mokwena has not been able to reach great heights this season, and is in danger of failing to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
Cardoso and Riveiro insist that, in the cut-throat world of continental competition, effectiveness trumps elegance.
They emphasise results over style, and their strategies could prove vital as they target dominance on the African continent.
Two riveting semi-finals loom, and the spotlight shines brightly on these mentors and their teams, which have embodied resilience and resourcefulness.
From a South African perspective, this season is one of the most exciting in recent memory, with two PSL teams in the CAF Champions League semi-final round.
The anticipation is building fast ahead of the forthcoming match-ups, in which current form, tactical flair, and resilience will once again be tested on the continent’s biggest platform.
Sundowns will face Egyptian rivals Al Ahly in their first-leg semi-final on Friday, April 18 in Pretoria, with the second leg a week later in Cairo.
Pirates have been drawn against Pyramids of Egypt in their semi-final, with their home game also next Friday and the return clash away on April 25.
The Champions League final is scheduled for May 24.