“Stop Changing Venues!” Cardoso Demands Urgent PSL Upgrades
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has outlined several areas he believes South African football can improve, stressing that his comments are intended to help the game develop rather than serve as complaints.
Since arriving in South Africa, Cardoso has been one of the most outspoken coaches in the league, regularly raising concerns about various aspects of the local game.
One issue he has consistently highlighted throughout the season is the condition of playing surfaces across the country, and having VAR to help the referees.
He has also questioned the PSL’s fixture scheduling, particularly what he perceives as a lack of consideration for the Brazilians while they balanced domestic commitments with their CAF Champions League campaign.
Cardoso believes there is room for improvement in several areas, including the use of a standard official match ball and restricting clubs from changing venues for high-profile fixtures.
“Why do I speak so much about South African football? Because, although I see that it’s getting better, I feel that there are things that can be improved quickly,” Cardoso said on the Sundowns podcast.
“One simple example is why there isn’t one official match ball that everyone uses. That would help everybody because, wherever you go to play, you would already be adapted to the ball.
“Why should teams be allowed to change venues? Just because they are playing Sundowns, Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs? We should be playing in the same stadiums and under the same conditions.”
Although Sundowns were pipped to the Betway Premiership title by Orlando Pirates, they secured the continent’s biggest prize by winning the CAF Champions League, defeating FAR Rabat in the final two weeks ago.
Cardoso continued: “It’s simple. Your venue should be your venue, and you should not be allowed to change it, whether you want to play in a bigger or smaller stadium.
“Play in the best conditions possible. Water your pitches so that football is quicker and more attractive because, when you compete in the Champions League or Confederation Cup, you have to play under those conditions. It is mandatory to water the pitch and keep the grass short.
“That is how the game develops, and that is the direction South African football should be taking. I’m not complaining as a coach; I simply want to help the game develop in South Africa.”
