Cardoso: Mudau Asked To Be Substituted
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed why he substituted the Bafana Bafana defender Khuliso Mudau early in their victory against Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The 29-year-old played until the 62nd minute and was replaced by Thapelo Morena. During the week against Sekhukhune United, Mudau started on the bench and came in during the second half as he swapped roles with Morena.
However, Cardoso was asked whether Mudau was injured or if they rushed him since he was coming from an injury and they took him out on Saturday.
“Mudau didn’t come too soon in the match, we knew that we had to substitute him,” Cardoso explained.
“Mudau made a wonderful recovery, and from what we saw is nothing special to him. Two minutes before we substituted him, he was on the line next to me and I asked whether he was still right.
“The players understand when they have to walk, and he asked to be substituted. I appreciate what he did and we had to put Thapelo [Morena]. Thapelo as well should not play too much because he’s coming from injury.
“So, now we need both of them to rest and decide who will play the next match.”
The Portuguese tactician added that Amakhosi’s game plan gave the Tshwane giant a tough game.
“We expected that Chiefs would overload the midfield with numbers but we knew that would give opportunity on the sides, and we have capacity on the sides, that’s how we scored as you remember their full back… they had midfielders controlling the inside,” Cardoso said.
“And their wingers controlling the insides, trying to close our build-ups inside, so their full-backs were jumping on our full-backs, but we knew then we have two in front and if we could attract one centre-back, eventually we could play the ball into the space.
“So Peter Shalulile made that movement, Iqraam Rayners went into space, received the ball and he passed to Lucas RIbeiro Costa to make the goal. As I said, it’s the players who interpret things, it was a very hard game, very tactical, very well prepared by coach Nasreddine Nabi.
“They have also good players and there’s an emotionality behind these kinds of matches, we don’t want to highlight it because our players are already tense for these games, so my approach is always low in demanding, just give them tools to find answers.
“Sometimes it goes well, sometimes not, this time it went well, I’m happy for that, but tough game, very tough game.”
The Brazilians are now 54 points, 18 points clear ahead of Orlando Pirates who are lying in the second place. The Buccaneers still have four games in hand.
