Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cardoso slams ‘muddy’ pitch, Ndlovu on Bafana & transfers

Latest on Mamelodi Sundowns, including coach Miguel Cardoso’s stinging criticism of the Buffalo City Stadium surface after a last-gasp point against Chippa United, and winger Siyanda Ndlovu declaring his Bafana ambitions.

Cardoso blasts ‘horrible’ pitch conditions in East London

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has delivered a blunt verdict on the playing surface at Buffalo City Stadium, branding conditions at the venue “horrible” following his side’s hard-fought 1-1 draw with Chippa United on Friday night.

Antonio van Wyk spared the Brazilians’ blushes with a last-minute equaliser after Chippa had taken the lead, but Cardoso was in no mood to dwell on the late reprieve, instead turning his fire on the state of the pitch.

The game had originally been moved to Buffalo City after Nelson Mandela Stadium’s surface was deemed unfit for play — a decision that drew some irony given the conditions Sundowns ultimately encountered in East London.

“People have to really think about the purpose, the intention, and the direction they want South African football to take,” Cardoso said as per SABC.

“There’s a country in Africa that is completely detaching from the rest of the continent, and that is Morocco. Conditions have been created that side for players to perform at a very high level, and that is the direction football has to take in South Africa.

“There is something behind the policy that needs to be studied to see the level of failure. I know in other countries this will not be allowed. This is not a football pitch because it is so muddy, it’s better for wrestling.”

Sundowns star sets his sights on Bafana call-up

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu has publicly set his sights on breaking into the Bafana Bafana setup, insisting he is prepared to keep working to earn international recognition under newly-appointed national team coach Pitso Mosimane.

The 22-year-old, who joined Sundowns from Golden Arrows and has been building his reputation at Chloorkop, spoke to Ukhozi FM about his ambitions ahead of what he hopes will be a landmark season.

“I think I do have a wish to play for the national team, and I’ll work hard to get that recognition,” said Ndlovu.

“The new coach, Pitso, I believe he’ll look at the players at his own way also because he’s the national team coach,” he said. “But I also have to push and improve more than what I’m doing now to get that recognition.”