Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has criticized the Premier Soccer League (PSL) scheduling, arguing that his team should not have played their Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Sekhukhune United on Friday, just days after the FIFA international break.

Cardoso expressed his frustration, stating that Sundowns should have been given adequate rest and preparation time for their crucial CAF Champions League quarter-final first leg against Tunisian side Esperance, scheduled for Tuesday.

Jayden Adams’ late winner secured the Sundowns’ victory over Sekhukhune United at Lucas Moripe Stadium, setting up a semi-final clash with Kaizer Chiefs. The PSL is expected to confirm the dates and venues for the semi-final.

Cardoso emphasized the demanding schedule his team faced, stating, “Well, first of all, I think we should clearly understand what we are doing here today. This match should not have been played today, and people who are responsible in South Africa for football must understand that the clubs defend their country,” Cardoso said on SuperSport TV.

He further elaborated, “In the moment we are playing football as a team that we’re going to Tuesday, that is to prepare themselves to rest, having the place in the proper condition to play the next game, that is a Champion League match. We should not be here today. We should not be here. At the same time, I should say that it is the second time that we scored legal goals that were not given.”

Cardoso also raised concerns about officiating decisions, stating, “We scored a goal in the ninth minute, is a clear, clean goal, and again, we were punished by a bad decision. It’s important that people who are in charge of football that take responsibility, because I think that Mamelodi Sundowns, for a long many years, is defending very well South African football – all abroad and in the country, and that should be taken in consideration and respected.”

This victory marked a successful week for Adams, who also contributed two goals in Bafana Bafana’s recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin. 

Regarding the match itself, Cardoso stated, “Regarding the game, uh, I think it’s clear we deserve to win. We deserve it to win from the very beginning, so it’s a matter of belief when you believe things can happen.

“When I tell yourself that it’s possible, we raise your hand, your head and you just keeping pushing forward, you can. That’s basically what I did to my players, making them believe it was possible. Today, it’s a victory of relief, a victory of conviction, a big clear of a group of players that want to succeed in life in football. And people must take consideration that when they look at us and about what we are doing.”