‘It’s not natural for the health of players’- Cardoso on Sundowns’ tight schedule
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has commented on the club’s tight schedule, lamenting that it’s not ‘natural’ for the health of his players.
Cardoso made these remarks after Sundowns claimed a 2-0 victory over Mpheni Home Defenders in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
The Brazilians scored both their goals in the first half through Tashreeq Matthews and a powerful strike from Bathusi Aubaas against the ABC Motsepe League side.
Before booking a spot in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup, Sundowns suffered a 1-0 defeat against TS Galaxy in a league match at Mbombela Stadium last Tuesday.
Interestingly, Sundowns’ defeat came a few days after they hammered Orlando Pirates 4-1 in a Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on the 08th of February 2025.
Midway through the month of February, the Tshwane giants have already played five matches in all competitions. Sundowns faced Golden Arrows, SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates, TS Galaxy and Mpheni Home Defenders.
WHAT DID MIGUEL CARDOSO SAY ABOUT SUNDOWNS’ TIGHT SCHEDULE?
With Sundowns still left with two league matches against Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy this month, Cardoso says the schedule is abnormal for everyone in the team, especially players.
“The calendar is absolutely unbelievable; the other day, I was listening to Sporting [Lisbon] coach [Joao Pereira] saying they have an average of six matches in a month. I sent him a message and said, ‘My friend, come to South Africa’ because here we have eight games in one month,” Cardoso told SABC 1.
“I don’t know how this is possible; it should never happen because it’s not natural; it’s not proper for the health of the players because we don’t live, but we survive.”
In a match against the ABC Motsepe League side – Mpheni, the former Esperance mentor made 10 changes to his starting line-up that played against Galaxy.
Tashreeq Matthews was the only player who started against the Rockets and Mpheni. The attacking midfielder didn’t finish the match after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle.
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