Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his side is yet to operate like a well-oiled machine this season, adding that fatigue is taking a toll on his players.
Sundowns have been the dominant force in South African football, winning eight league titles in a row, but they have faltered in cup competitions, enduring a four-year drought.
Rivals Orlando Pirates, meanwhile, have been soaring, claiming five trophies during that period — three MTN8 titles and one Nedbank Cup. Pirates lived up to their ‘Cup Kings’ tag once again as they recently reached a fourth successive MTN8 final at the expense of Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium. The Buccaneers triumphed 4-1 on penalties after the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate over two legs.
Sundowns started brightly at home, with Iqraam Rayners putting them ahead in the first half to make it 2-1 on aggregate. But just as they did in the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Orlando, Pirates turned the game around, with Kamogelo Sebelebele equalising in the second half. Cardoso’s tactics also came under scrutiny, as he opted to bring on more defensive players to protect the draw rather than push for the win.
The defeat reportedly increased pressure on the Portuguese-born coach, with a group of supporters captured on camera attempting to confront the team after the match.
Cardoso, however, insisted that the dip in performance was inevitable due to a congested schedule in recent weeks.
“Everybody expected that because we rested several players on Wednesday, today we were going to be much stronger throughout the match,” Cardoso said.
“The reality is that we tried, but it’s also clear that we made a number of mistakes with simple passes. You’ll know that fatigue is not just physical, but also mental.
“That’s why you didn’t see the usual fluidity in our game. These were two demanding matches where the rhythm was very strong.
“We haven’t played too many matches, but when we were competing at the Club World Cup in July, Orlando Pirates were resting and in pre-season. That means we are a little behind compared to other teams, and we know we are not yet where we’d like to be to play such matches.”
Cardoso added that people need to understand the team is doing its best to manage player workloads, which is why results may fluctuate.
“I don’t think anyone can complain about the efforts of my players. They showed their intention to play at the highest level,” he explained.
“But because we are still developing and growing, some players are not as free and fluid as we would like them to be — and that’s normal. It all comes down to the fact that we didn’t rest or prepare properly. We are still managing the squad while playing competitive matches.”
With Sundowns set to face Kaizer Chiefs — who have enjoyed a perfect start to the season — at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, Cardoso knows his side cannot afford to dwell on the setback.
As a result, the reigning PSL Coach of the Season, who took charge for much of the second half of last campaign, remains confident they will soon turn the corner.
“It’s important that people make a proper analysis of Mamelodi Sundowns’ situation, as that would be fair,” Cardoso said. “We didn’t lose to Orlando Pirates — we drew both games. But of course, we are not happy; we wanted to be in the final. We are not comfortable with where we are, but we are doing our best to ensure we reach our full potential in the future.”
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