Cardoso Claims Nabi’s Chiefs Were Stronger Than Current Side
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes the Kaizer Chiefs side previously led by Nasreddine Nabi was stronger and more difficult to face than the current team guided by co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze.
Cardoso made the bold assessment after Sundowns’ 1-1 Betway Premiership clash against Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening, where the Portuguese tactician openly compared the current Amakhosi side to the one coached by Nabi last season.
Nabi arrived at Naturena at the beginning of last season alongside Ben Youssef and Kaze as part of his technical team, with Chiefs showing signs of improvement despite struggling for consistency.
During that campaign, Sundowns defeated Chiefs in both league meetings and also knocked them out of the Carling Knockout. However, Chiefs managed to beat the Brazilians in the Nedbank Cup before eventually lifting the trophy.
This season, Nabi has departed, while Ben Youssef and Kaze have taken charge of the team. Although Chiefs have again struggled for consistency, Sundowns have surprisingly failed to beat them in the league. The two sides first played to a goalless draw at FNB Stadium before Wednesday’s stalemate in Tshwane.
Despite dropping points, Cardoso insisted there was a clear difference between the Chiefs side coached by Nabi and the current one under Ben Youssef and Kaze, particularly in the way they handled transitions and attacked Sundowns.
“We planned to play football, not to go into battles, and not allow ourselves to get frustrated if they increased the intensity and aggression as they did in other matches,” said Cardoso.
“I think the team had a clear mindset, but it is easy to speak when you are outside the pitch. If you are on the other side, it is not easy. Obviously, although the team played good football, the first 20 minutes were very physical, and from there it became difficult to take the game where we wanted it.
“After we were reduced to 10 men and were searching for a goal, it was obvious there could be transitions.
“But I think last year, with coach Nabi, we saw a stronger Kaizer Chiefs than this one because last season, when we played against them in transition, they were difficult to cope with, unlike the team we faced now.
“So, yes, I’m happy because of that, and last year they were stronger because of the way they tried to play.”
Cardoso also addressed the injury suffered by defender Keanu Cupido following a challenge involving Chiefs midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu during the first half.
Cupido’s departure proved costly for Sundowns, as Chiefs found the back of the net shortly after the former Cape Town City FC defender was forced off.
“When he fell, his arm was already broken. Something is broken, that’s it. But he didn’t fall on his arm. When he fell, the arm was already broken,” Cardoso explained.
“That is different from what happened to the Kaizer Chiefs player, Mduduzi Shabalala, because there was an action that deserved a correct yellow card for Jayden. But when he fell, he injured his arm. That is completely different.”
Sundowns will now turn their attention to Saturday’s crucial Betway Premiership clash against Siwelele FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium as Cardoso’s side continues its pursuit of the league title with only two matches remaining in the campaign.
