sportskeeda
Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, acknowledged his rigorous methods while highlighting the dedication of his staff and players in fulfilling expectations amid a hectic schedule.
Recently, Sundowns celebrated a 1-0 aggregate victory over ES Esperance in Tunisia, securing their spot in the CAF Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday.
They are also in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, set to host Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Stadium on Sunday at 18:00.
Cardoso, who stepped in as head coach in December following a sluggish start for Sundowns in the Champions League group stage, has guided the team to an impressive 12-point lead in the Betway Premiership, despite Orlando Pirates having three games in hand. The club is now aiming for an extraordinary treble.
“We cannot [enjoy] be in the moments without going through the process,” he remarked.
“We still have many fixtures ahead, and we have been managing well. Moving forward, I believe things will become more manageable, even if they come with added challenges.
“I wouldn’t classify it as pressure; instead, it’s an elevated demand for concentration and additional effort from our side.
“We can be very precise and streamline our methods with the players.
“Our five days in Tunisia were demanding as we prepared for this match, knowing that keeping our sessions private would be difficult; hence, we had to focus internally during this intense workload.
“Emotionally, it took a lot from the players. However, I have been impressed with their commitment at a high level.
“As the season nears its conclusion, the number of upcoming games only increases the tally. If we perform well, we can prevent those numbers from swelling. We have two more matches in the Champions League, but we’re also targeting more in the cup and the league; this is our current reality, and we must meet our obligations.
Sundowns are also preparing to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in June, which will take place in the United States, where they are set to face Ulsan HD FC, Borussia Dortmund, and Fluminense. Cardoso stressed that this is where everyone strives to excel – competing at the highest level.
“In the FIFA Club World Cup, we will encounter formidable opponents, and let’s see if we can add one more match in that tournament,” Cardoso added.
“This is the level that players, coaches, and staff aim to achieve, and we must manage accordingly. We’ve already made extensive plans for the upcoming weeks, including logistics for our match in Cape Town [on May 4], accommodations, and ensuring everything is set for optimal conditions.”
