sportskeeda
As Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso seeks to implement his style of play at Chloorkop, he approaches potential changes to the talented squad with caution to avoid disrupting team harmony.
Cardoso marked his second win since taking the helm, as his side edged past Stellenbosch, thanks to a crucial first-half goal from Iqraam Rayners, who played against his former team at DHL Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.
This triumph enabled the reigning Betway Premiership champions to take a three-point lead over Orlando Pirates in the league standings, although the Soweto outfit has a game in hand following the postponement of their match against Sekhukhune United on Tuesday.
Cardoso introduced six changes to the starting lineup that won against Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League, but he emphasizes his goal of ensuring team stability, prioritizing gradual enhancements over significant disruptions to the work of his predecessor.
“It’s vital to build on the foundation laid by the team and avoid drastic changes that might cause discomfort. Hence, we are making steady progress with subtle adjustments while honoring the hard work of coach Manqoba [Mngqithi] who preceded us,” he remarked.
“We are dedicated to advancing from the current state of the team without making abrupt changes that might result in notable discomfort. Our focus is on gradually improving our performance from here on out.”
The Portuguese coach elucidated his decision to rotate several players during his league debut against Stellies, underscoring the necessity of managing player workloads as fixtures continue to pile up.
“The team needs to progress; it’s not just about the players. We made alterations following the previous match—some were for fatigue management, while others were due to minor concerns,” Cardoso clarified.
“The essential factor is our faith in every player; they come with diverse levels of experience. Some are youthful, while others are seasoned veterans, each possessing attributes that aid us in navigating various game situations and opponents.”
The Brazilians are set to head to KZN to take on AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, 24 December, in their next Betway Premiership encounter, having not suffered a league defeat to Usuthu since December 2021.
