Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has ripped into his players following their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the top-of-the-table clash at FNB Stadium on Sunday, stating that they played with no brain.

The log leaders fell to a quick-fire brace from Relebohile Mofokeng in the opening 10 minutes, which saw them miss out on a chance to complete a league double over their title rivals after they claimed a 4-1 victory in the first meeting in February.

Sundowns have a 15-point gap over the Soweto giants, having accumulated 58 points while Jose Riveiro’s men picked up 43 points in 19 league outings. However, the Chloorkop-based outfit has played four games more.

The 52-year-old tactician attributes the defeat to the dismal start his charges displayed, acknowledging how it put them on the back foot. But the Downs mentor hailed his troops for the fighting spirit they showed in trying to settle into the encounter.

“A very bad beginning of the game brings strong consequences on the game. It’s very important to start these kinds of matches well, start them with the right conviction and positioning,” said Cardoso.

“I didn’t see what happened on the goals but whatever happened should not have happened – it’s clear. I think after that [bad start], we had an interesting reaction around the 25th or 30th minute to try to play our game and to achieve a goal.

“We know that 2-0 is always a very tricky result but also, we knew that 3-0 would also be a very bad result for us regarding the result of the first match in Loftus. So, it was quite a difficult match in terms of managing after we suffered the second goal because we knew too much risk could expose us more, and from that, we can even suffer more goals.” 

Cardoso went on to slam the Masandawana players for a performance he believes was brainless for a large chunk of the match. The Portuguese emphasized the importance of merging the brain and heart in big games.

“We had some transitions, counter attacks that we had difficulties to deal with, but I think we could create [chances] until around the 40th minute. From there until halftime, I think we lost the brain, and I told the boys a match like this cannot be played with just a heart,” he added.

“But also, it cannot just be played with the brain, it’s important that both of them are present because too much heart will not bring the best positioning and the best capacity to tactically analyze what’s happening inside the pitch.

“And less brain will go with the first one. Lack of heart also doesn’t help because then you don’t have the proper energy for such responsibility, and I think in the last parts of the first half we lost a little bit of the capacity to think about what we have to continue to do.” 

The Brazilians will swing back into Betway Premiership action with a visit from Stellenbosch at Loftus Versveld Stadium after the international break. Before hosting Stellies, Sundowns will welcome Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis in the CAF Champions League.