Sundowns set for wholesale changes in Nedbank Cup outing against TS Galaxy

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to play TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.

The Brazilians have seemingly rediscovered their form after recording two massive wins across all competitions. The initial one was a huge win over MC Alger in Group C of the CAF Champions League that saw him make the quarter-final of the prestigious club competition.

The latest victory was in the Premier Soccer League on Wednesday when they claimed a 2-1 victory against leaders Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium to reduce the gap to just three points.

This explains why they will be coming into the Cup outing this weekend as favourites since the players are motivated.

Call for changes?

Coach Miguel Cardoso has stated he has no option but to rotate the squad to ensure there is no fatigue on players. Masandawana have been playing back-to-back matches across all competitions, which has involved a lot of travelling.

“From the 14 February up to 22 March, we have 12 matches to play. You can only take it one game at a time. Obviously, not all competitions are on the same level; with all due respect to the Nedbank Cup and the Championship,” he told the media.

“The [CAF] Champions League is [CAF] Champions League. But we are in the moment, and we will have to manage players because of the matches we’ve already played. We are not going to rotate now because it’s the cup, but because it’s the moment.”

The tactician further explained why there is a need to revise match scheduling, “I think in the future it will be very beneficial for everybody if the agents of the game that can gather and discuss some of the things; I’m speaking about coaches sitting down to discuss some things and also receive some information.

“We need to open up a common ground for discussion where, for sure, South Africa will benefit,” Cardoso concluded.