Cardoso Criticizes “Insane” Match Scheduling
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has strongly criticized the league’s congested fixture schedule, labeling it “insane.”
Cardoso argued that the current situation is unsustainable and needs to be addressed. He highlighted that his team has already played seven matches this month and will face Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, marking their eighth game in February.
The Portuguese coach voiced his concerns after Sundowns delivered a dominant 4-2 victory over Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership match played at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
This win marked the fourth time Sundowns have scored four goals in a league match this month, bringing their total goals across all competitions to 24. They previously scored four against Golden Arrows, four against Orlando Pirates, and four against TS Galaxy in their preceding match.
Cardoso’s team, seemingly unstoppable this season, now sits on 51 points after 19 matches, a commanding 15 points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have four games in hand.
It will require a monumental effort to prevent Sundowns from securing another league title, their eighth consecutive triumph. Their superior quality was evident in the match against Sekhukhune.
“I think I have to repeat it, it is absolutely insane what’s happening to Sundowns,” Cardoso stated.
“The schedule is insane; it is not normal. It doesn’t respect the human being, and I think it should be challenged and reconsidered because I don’t know how it’s possible.
“But we will keep being alive. We struggled and we will keep pushing forward, for sure.”
While Sundowns’ performance was impressive, Cardoso expressed dissatisfaction with Sekhukhune’s second goal.
“Unfortunately, we suffered this stupid second goal, and that changed my plan,” said Cardoso, who appeared to be angry.
“At this moment, there is no need for this. Overconfidence sometimes makes you make mistakes.
“And in that moment, it was important make substitutions to refresh the players. I should not have pushed them to the limit, but we needed to win today and think about tomorrow.”
