Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has provided an update regarding the state of the Loftus Versfeld Stadium pitch ahead of their CAF Champions League tie against Esperance.
The Brazilians are set to host Espérance Sportive de Tunis in the quarterfinal first leg match on Tuesday, 1 April, with kickoff scheduled for 3PM.
Their last game at Loftus Versfeld was on 8 February when they defeated Orlando Pirates 4-1 in the Betway Premiership clash where the pitch was noticeably in poor condition.
While Sundowns have more recently hosted their home games at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, Cardoso has indicated that Loftus is his preferred venue, given that the playing surface is in good order.
Despite a United Rugby Championship game between the Blue Bulls and Zebre scheduled for this Saturday, Cardoso is optimistic that the pitch will be in good condition for their Tuesday fixture.
CARDOSO ON LOFTUS VERSFELD CONDITIONS
“My opinion is clear, I always prefer to play at Loftus, but I always prefer to play in good conditions,” said Cardoso. “Since the very first moment I arrived here, I’ve been fighting for the pitches to be in fantastic conditions in terms of turf, the height of the turf, and watering the pitch.
“As I said and I repeat, I defend football. You have to water the pitch, I don’t care if that is going to help the ball go quicker on our defence, I don’t care. It’s how football should be played.
“Regarding the conditions in Loftus. We have a group on WhatsApp where every day there’s an update from our greenkeepers who are working on Loftus.
“And as I know, because I saw the pictures two days ago, the pitch is in very good condition.
“There’s a rugby match tomorrow [Saturday, 29 March], the height of the grass will be big so that it doesn’t get spoiled.
“If they cut it after that, it will stay very good for sure.”
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