Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso insists raising concerns about the club’s tight schedule is nowhere near making excuses ahead of their all-important CAF Champions League match on Friday.
The Betway Premiership defending champions will face Stade Malien in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday evening, with kick-off set for 20:00.
In recent weeks, Cardoso has consistently voiced his frustrations regarding the perceived lack of administrative and logistical support afforded to Sundowns as they navigate the rigorous demands of CAF inter-club competitions.
The Brazilians’ schedule remains punishingly dense; Masandawana were forced into competitive action as recently as Tuesday in a league encounter against Orbit College FC. Looking ahead, the fixture congestion shows no signs of easing, with the Tshwane giants slated to battle Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, 17 March. This domestic commitment leaves the squad with a dangerously narrow window for recovery before they begin their arduous journey to Mali for the decisive second-leg quarter-final, currently scheduled for Sunday, 22 March.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH NOT MAKING EXCUSES AHEAD OF KEY CAF MATCH
In anticipation of Friday’s high-stakes continental showdown, Cardoso was questioned on how he manages to optimise the team’s preparations despite the taxing circumstances and limited recovery time.
“Let’s not confuse things, please. I am not searching for excuses regarding any aspect of our current situation. We do not operate on excuses at this club; instead, we rely on the strength of our character and the quality of our attitude,” he asserted firmly.
“We don’t work with excuses, but we take the context and do our best; we have all the conditions to deliver a very good match tomorrow [Friday], and I am sure we are going to do just that. But I have to defend my players, and I have to defend my club. So, let’s not be confused.
“We don’t look for excuses at Sundowns. Whether it is the pitch, rain, or humidity, we don’t care about that. We go wherever we have to go and we perform. Tomorrow, there will be 11 players on that pitch with high commitment and in peak condition to compete; to fight from the first to the last minute, including those on the bench,” he added.
“So we don’t look for excuses; there is nothing like that. My attitude and my statements are just that—statements. There is no outside feeling involved. The odds will exist when the whistle blows, and that’s where it all starts.”
RELATED STORY: Sundowns leapfrog Pirates in title race with win over Orbit