Cardoso unhappy as venue switch disrupts Sundowns preparations

Mamelodi Sundowns can move nine points clear of Orlando Pirates at the top of the league when they face Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday (17:30).

Sundowns lead the table on 19 points after Wednesday’s 3-0 win against struggling Siwelele at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. They are six points ahead of second-placed Pirates, who have two games in hand.

Head coach Miguel Cardoso was pleased with his side’s performance against Siwelele, particularly as he continues to rotate his squad during a demanding start to the season. Sundowns have already played seven matches.

However, Cardoso questioned the decision to move Saturday’s match from Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to Buffalo City, saying the late change had affected the club’s plans before their Intercontinental Cup fixture against Al-Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

“It’s very tricky for me because I’m highly criticised when I speak about things that I think will take the game to another level in SA,” he said.

“I don’t want to speak because people always say I speak about the opponents, about the other teams we play against, the other teams we fight for trophies. They always say I speak about the opponent.

“But I just want you to understand that we have a trip planned to fly, to play [in Gqeberha]. I just want you to understand that the change of venue clearly disrupts our preparations for the intercontinental cup.

“You know why? Because when the venue was changed, we cannot travel on the same day back and we cannot travel in the morning on the following day. We have only a flight because there were not seats available at 5pm in the afternoon.

“It means by allowing this change of venue or not putting us on a venue where we can travel, we are not given the right conditions to prepare the match, and you say ‘Yeah, but you still have six days’. Yeah but I had planned to give two days off to my players and then had four days of preparation for the Intercontinental [Al-Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld Stadium].”

Despite his frustration, Cardoso said Sundowns would focus on securing maximum points against the Chilli Boys.

“We will do our best and we will fight with all we have and we will always be ready. The last memories we have there are good and I hope to find a beautiful pitch.

“I hope the pitch is good and we will play the best we can in the conditions we have.”

Fixtures

Friday: Stellenbosch v Sekhukhune, Athlone (19:30).

Saturday: AmaZulu v Gallants, Princess Magogo (15:00); Polokwane v Chiefs, Old Peter Mokaba (15:00); Chippa v Sundowns, Buffalo City (17:30).

Sunday: Milford v Bay, Sugar Ray Xulu (15:00); Siwelele v Arrows, Free State (15:00); Galaxy v Kruger, Solomon Mahlangu (17:30).

African competitions

Caf Champions League first round second leg: Saturday, Pirates v La Cure Sylvester, Orlando (15:00).

Caf Confederation Cup: Sunday, Rukinzo v Durban, Stade Intwari (15:00).