Cardoso points to Sundowns schedule after defeat by Golden Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has highlighted the demanding schedule facing his side after their defeat by Golden Arrows, saying the difference in recovery time had an impact on the contest.

Sundowns suffered a setback against Arrows as their busy run of fixtures continued, with Cardoso stressing that his players had only three days to recover from their previous match against Marumo Gallants.

Speaking after the defeat, the Portuguese coach drew attention to the contrasting schedules of the two teams and suggested that the additional rest available to Arrows gave them an advantage.

“It’s important to understand that this team (Arrows) is resting for one week, we played three days ago [against Marumo Gallants], we are going to play again,” Cardoso said.

The comments underline the physical demands being placed on Sundowns as they navigate a congested fixture schedule.

While Arrows had a full week to prepare for the match, Sundowns were required to recover and prepare again just three days after their previous fixture.

Cardoso’s remarks came after his side failed to get the desired result, with the defeat adding to the pressure of a demanding period for the reigning South African champions.

Sundowns have established themselves as one of the most dominant forces in South African football in recent years, but their success has also brought a packed calendar involving domestic and continental competitions.

Managing player fatigue has therefore become a key challenge for Cardoso, particularly when matches are scheduled only a few days apart.

The coach’s comments suggest that the issue is not simply about the result against Arrows, but also about the workload his squad is carrying.

With another match already on the horizon, Sundowns will have little time to dwell on the defeat and must quickly turn their attention to their next assignment.

Cardoso will now be hoping his players can recover sufficiently to maintain their competitiveness despite the demanding sequence of fixtures.

The defeat against Arrows serves as another reminder of the challenge involved in balancing domestic commitments with the wider demands of a long season.