Cardoso praises Sundowns’ rapid recovery as Saleng situation addressed

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso praised his players’ professionalism after they followed their MTN8 final victory over Orlando Pirates with a commanding 4-1 win against Richards Bay.

The Betway Premiership leaders secured another three points at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Tuesday evening, maintaining top spot with a convincing performance against a struggling Richards Bay side.

Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring before Iqraam Rayners struck twice. Fawaaz Basadien also found the net as Sundowns made the most of their trip to KwaZulu-Natal, just days after beating Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Cardoso said his squad had responded well to the demands of playing again so soon after lifting the trophy. The Portuguese coach also highlighted the windy conditions at the Princess Magogo Stadium, as well as the limited time available to prepare for the league fixture.

The manager was pleased with the way the players and staff moved on quickly from the celebrations and refocused on the match. Their performance allowed Sundowns to turn a short recovery period into another emphatic result.

Squad planning for Angola trip

Cardoso also explained the club’s approach to managing the squad before Sundowns travel to Angola for their CAF Champions League preliminary-round fixture.

With the team competing on several fronts, the coach said it was necessary to protect certain players and control their workload during a particularly demanding period of the season.

Sundowns have also chosen to charter a flight for the journey to Angola. Cardoso indicated that the decision was linked to the logistical challenges involved in the trip and the need to manage the players’ recovery and preparation as effectively as possible.

Cardoso discusses Saleng

The Sundowns boss also addressed the situation surrounding Monnapule Saleng, whose position at the club has prompted speculation.

Cardoso offered supporters an indication of where the winger currently stands within his plans as the season progresses, adding another point of focus alongside the club’s busy schedule in domestic and continental competition.