Defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns have been playing back-to-back games across all competitions.
On Sunday, they played Mpheni Defenders in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16, which was their seventh game in a month. On Wednesday, Masandawana will play Marumo Gallants away in the league outing.
Coach Miguel Cardoso is unhappy with the many games his team is playing, optimistic that his players don't get injured.
‘It will be a challenge' – Cardoso
“I do hope that we don't have injuries, and I do hope that the injured players can really reinforce us because they are exactly at the point where, in a couple of weeks, they will start returning,” the former Esperance coach told the media.
“So we've already had Sales, who today rejoined the team, we; had Esquivel, who played also, and we hope the players just finishing their recovery process can also help the team in the near future.
“It will be a challenge because, as I said already, we have eight games in a row during one month, this is something that should never happen in football. Obviously, it's not normal to happen, so until the FIFA break, we'll be playing every three or four days – it's not normal and not acceptable, it's very difficult to cope with,” the tactician stated.
‘Sundowns have the value'
Cardoso now hopes fatigue doesn't creep in and that players will continue giving their best, “So I really hope that players can sustain their efforts, and most of our opponents will not be in this situation – I saw the other teams' calendars, and they will not be submitted to this kind of effort, while we will.
“And we have to cope with it, and we will cope with it, I'm pretty sure. That's why today we also gave opportunities to players that were not playing so much to get game-time.
“So that they also get the effort that comes from official games, which is completely different from a training session or friendly match, because we will naturally need the players to reinforce the team, but I'm pretty confident about the value that we have,” Cardoso concluded.
