Miguel Cardoso makes plea to Sundowns supporters

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has implored the Masandawana faithful to back his tactical decisions in the coming weeks ahead of the looming fixture congestion.

The African champions are competing on all fronts this season, and have already clinched two trophies in the form of the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and the MTN8, leaving a staggering seven trophies on offer.

With games set to come thick and fast, the Portuguese tactician is aware that fatigue will take a toll on his squad, acknowledging that rotation will be a necessity in his upcoming team selections.

Cardoso, as a result, has asked the club's supporters to understand the rationale behind the starting XI and matchday squads, warning that familiar names may be omitted from the team.

“I would like Mamelodi Sundowns fans to also understand that [we will rotate] so that they support our technical decisions. It will be clear here and there that we are managing the group,” said the Sundowns boss.

"But managing the group is putting the ones that show us they are in better conditions to play. We also need to manage motivation, we need to have a group that is permanently on the edge of the motivation and we would like to have them like that.

The Downs mentor pointed to Fawaaz Basadien as a perfect example of the squad management approach, as the former Stellenbosch defender was not selected for the MTN8 final despite impressing in previous outings.

“Obviously, we know that we have competition in positions and there are players that can play any moment. Fawaaz made a beautiful game yesterday [vs Richards Bay] but in the MTN8 final it was [Divine] Lunga and Aubrey [Modiba] playing,” Cardoso added.

"So, the boys are giving answers to the challenges we put, we tell them to trust that their moment will appear and I was so pleased and wrapping the trophy from the plastic where he was and giving it to Fawaaz.

"He understands the message when we speak to them to be ready because when you go inside you can perform and he was an example of others on how they can perform even when not playing three or four matches in a row.

Sundowns, meanwhile, return to action with the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie against Girabola log leaders Wiliete SC in Angola on Sunday.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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