Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted he erred in his comments that the Loftus Stadium was “almost empty” when they played Al Ahly in the first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-finals.

“It’s so sad to see such a beautiful stadium almost empty when you have a semi-final of the Champions League. We should have a full stadium supporting us, giving us extra energy,” said Cardoso after the match in Pretoria.

The Sundowns supporters were not pleased with Cardoso and shared images on social media that proved they came out in numbers.

Cardoso, who has reflected on his comments, now says he made a “mistake.”

“When I entered the pitch (at Loftus), I looked at the stands, but then I didn’t look more,” he admits.

“It was clear that the stadium got full or at least got very comfortable in terms of the number of people, and I made a mistake addressing that in the end.”

For the second leg against Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium today (Friday), the Brazilians can expect a hostile environment, with Al Ahly’s 12th man filling up the stands. Cardoso, however, says his team can silence the home crowd to reach the final.

“I played here (Cairo) last year, and the stadium was full. We don’t feel minus because of a full stadium.

“We feel stronger, and let’s hope we can put the crowd all in silence. When they are booing us or whistling at us, it means that we’re doing well,” Cardoso concludes.

In the other clash, Orlando Pirates will take on Pyramids at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

In the first leg in South Africa, both matches ended goalless.