As the fixture pressure mounts on Mamelodi Sundowns, head coach Miguel Cardoso is turning to squad management as a lifeline while navigating a demanding fixture schedule that has left many within the club feeling the strain.
Currently sitting atop the Betway Premiership with a solid nine-point lead, the defending champions are also deep into the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League, highlighting the juxtaposition of their ambitious goals against the unrelenting demands of modern football.
Following a convincing victory over Mpheni Home Defenders in the Nedbank Cup, which saw the team advance to the quarter-finals, Cardoso expressed satisfaction with the contributions of his fringe players.
Tashreeq Matthews is just class ✨
He's scored one of the two goals Sundowns have scored in the first half ✅ pic.twitter.com/uL2wiLcoru
The match showcased a pair of first-half goals from Tashreeq Mathews and Bathusi Aubaas, offering a glimpse of the squad depth that will be crucial in the coming weeks.
“I do hope that we don't have injuries and I do hope the players that are injured really can reinforce us. We hope that those finishing the recovery process can help the team shortly,” Cardoso said.
The coach’s worries reflect the demanding run of eight consecutive matches in a short period of time that Sundowns have been through, a scenario he described as “not normal” in the realm of football.
Cardoso's strategic decision to use the Nedbank Cup as an opportunity for some of his less-played players to gain match experience paid dividends.
“We gave opportunities to players who have not played so much, so that they get the effort that comes from a proper game which is different from a training session or a friendly match,” he elaborated.
However, the match was not without its challenges. In a bitter twist, Tashreeq Mathews received a second yellow card just after the break, marking the eighth red card for Sundowns this season.
Next Stop: #NedbankCup Last 8! 👆![CDATA[]]>🔜#Sundowns #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/j0L93Qn93U
Despite the setback, Cardoso defended Mathews, stating that the incident was unintentional, highlighting the complexities of officiating in high-stakes games.
“We cannot say it was intentional... but it's fair to have the second yellow,” he explained,
Matthews, joined Ronwen Williams, Denis Onyano, Aubaas [twice], Devine Lunga, Aubrey Modiba and Khuliso Mudau to have been on the wrong side of the officials.
On a positive note, Cardoso was particularly impressed with the performance of debutant Keanu Cupido, stating that he expects the young talent to make significant contributions moving forward.
As they prepare to face Marumo Gallants at Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday, Sundowns are gearing up for yet another critical match as they look to stave off the challenge of chasing Orlando Pirates.
Having watched on from the stands at the weekend, the Sundowns regulars are expected to take their places in order to avoid a second league defeat in a row having fallen at the feet of TS Galaxy last Tuesday.
With their sights firmly set on sustaining their league lead and making deeper runs in cup competitions, the effective management of their squad could prove to be the linchpin for success in this demanding season.