Cardoso urges Mamelodi Sundowns to refocus after opening-day Betway Premiership setback

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to get their Betway Premiership title defence back on track after a disappointing result in their opening game.

Sundowns drew 1-1 with Chippa United in the opening match of their league campaign at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday. Despite dropping two points, it was a huge result for Chippa, who will want to build on the momentum throughout the course of the domestic campaign.

The same cannot be said for Sundowns. The result stung, as they were clear favourites for the game given their depth, experience, and title aspirations for the season.

Cardoso is not crying over spilled milk, though. He has urged his troops to turn their focus to their next league game at Loftus Versfeld against AmaZulu on Wednesday night (7.30pm).

“I think we have to take it match by match,” Cardoso said. “Obviously, it’s not ideal to start the championship with a draw.

“But two points dropped in the first match or the last one are still two points. We need to finish with more points than our opponents. So, let’s see the number of points that our opponents are going to get in this round. We have to fight in the next game.

“This game is already over, so we need to look ahead, fix our mistakes, and build the team. There are still many days left in the transfer market as well. Let’s sort out our issues and see how strong we are, because we need to work and develop our squad.”

One of the issues Sundowns must address is their transfer situation, as Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro, and Khuliso Mudau were notable absentees in the MTN8 opener.

The trio have reportedly been pushing for moves away from the club this transfer window after attracting various offers from abroad. Shalulile, however, returned to the match-day squad against the Chilli Boys, although he was an unused substitute.

Cardoso, speaking during his pre-match TV duties, said Shalulile was available and ready to contribute whenever called upon, while Mudau is also close to returning to the team.

“I think people are talking too much about Mamelodi Sundowns players,” he told SuperSport.

“Peter is with us, heart and soul. That’s what everybody, especially Mamelodi Sundowns, needs to understand. So why not bring in a player who is heart and soul with us?

“Peter is always ready to play, always ready to perform, and his fitness is unbelievable. We believe in him, just as we believe in the others in the squad.”

Regarding Mudau’s absence, Cardoso said: “I believe Mudau will be with us pretty soon — let’s hope so.”

In the absence of the trio, who played an influential role in the team’s success last season, Cardoso has been using youngsters as impact players.

Siyabonga Mabena and Kutlwano Letlhaku again started on the bench against Chippa after making cameos against Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final.

The duo was unable to influence the game in Gqeberha, unlike against Richards Bay, where Mabena scored the fourth and final goal in Sundowns’ 4-0 triumph.

Cardoso was not fazed by their minimal impact, insisting it’s normal for youngsters to blow hot and cold from game to game.

“There were young players on the pitch and, sometimes, as I always say, it’s not the best environment for them to play in,” Cardoso said.

“When you expose young players to a difficult context, it obviously aids their growth, but sometimes they don’t yet have the emotional capacity to handle the pressure.

“We gave them an opportunity. We could have got a different result, but we need to take responsibility for this season and prepare for Wednesday.

“It will be a new opportunity to write a new page, and we’ll take it from there and move forward.”