‘I remember the first game we played against Pirates we won at Loftus and then we didn’t succeed in the following game,’ Cardoso said.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has acknowledged that their 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates prior to last month’s FIFA break may have served as a much-needed wake-up call for his squad at this crucial point in the season.
Sundowns bounce back
Since that setback, the Brazilians have booked their place in the semifinals of both the Nedbank Cup and the CAF Champions League. They did this by securing wins over Sekhukhune United and Espérance.
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Sundowns are now gearing up for a clash against Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday evening. A spot in the Nedbank Cup final is on the line. Despite being tipped as favourites, Cardoso insists his players will not take Amakhosi lightly.
“I didn’t really appreciate how we reacted after we had big victories. I remember the first game we played against Pirates we won at Loftus and then we didn’t succeed in the following game,” Cardoso said.
“It means that we have a strong mental work ahead of us. Anyway, it’s not unique for these players to have to play such decisive games. What I felt in the change room (after the Pirates game) was a strong will and commitment regarding the future. We should feed ourselves on victories. If we do that, we will always give our best and be on top.”
Are the Brazilians tired?
Cardoso also downplayed any concerns about fatigue following their recent trip to Tunisia. Sundowns faced Espérance in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night. While talk of fatigue often resurfaces ahead of big matches, the Portuguese coach remains confident that his team will be fully prepared for the decisive encounter at home.
“Obviously, we have to cope with different points, different aspects and different perspectives,” the 52-year-old added.
“The first thing is to recover because it was a very intense match that forced us to have a high level of concentration. That’s not only the physical aspect but the mental and psychological impact of playing a game until the last minute with such a high level of concentration.
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“We had a wonderful trip and I really thank the club for having provided us with the possibility of flying in a chartered plane. It reduced the amount of fatigue that a commercial flight would have had.”
