Cardoso makes excuses on why Mamelodi Sundowns lost

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has lost his first league match since he was appointed coach late last year.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso. Image: Sundowns website

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso explained why his side suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy on Tuesday evening.

Having gone unbeaten in the league this year, Masandawana went down 1-0 thanks to Kamogelo Sebelebele’s goal. Downs came into the match high in confidence having destroyed Orlando Pirates 4-1 this past weekend.

Cardoso said after that match that Sundowns did not have enough time to rest in between games.

“Obviously, we did not have the energy that we needed, it is the fourth match in 72 hours and we were penalised because of that.

“I think that we had the better chances, we should have scored but we suffered, we were penalised with the goal in the last minute of the first half and we had no energy for the second half,” he said.

Cardoso suffers first league defeat as Sundowns coach

Having gone 1-0 down before half-time, Cardoso made some changes with Thapelo Morena and Iqraam Rayners coming on.

“It is normal that a team that is defending wants to kick in the front so that we cannot go full energy in attack. I think we coped with their offensive,” Cardoso added.

“We knew we had to risk, we changed strategy in terms of system but they defended very well and we have to congratulate them for the effort they put in defensively.”

Having lost his first match as Sundowns coach, Cardoso will shift focus to the Nedbank Cup. The Brazilians still lead the Betway Premiership by nine points but their nearest rivals Pirates have two games in hand.