Miguel Cardoso criticizes Sundowns’ packed schedule despite their dominant league form.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has voiced his frustration with his team’s exhausting fixture schedule, despite an impressive 4-2 victory over Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday.

The win came on the heels of a month packed with games, marking the eighth match for Sundowns in February alone.

With the team holding a commanding 15-point lead at the top of the table and seemingly on track for an eighth consecutive league title, Cardoso’s criticism of the schedule underscores the toll such a rigorous pace can take on his players.

Sundowns, the reigning champions of the South African Premier Division, have faced an incredibly demanding schedule, playing seven league matches and one Nedbank Cup game during February.

The team is gearing up for another crucial clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, just a few days after their hard-fought win against Sekhukhune.

In addition to their domestic commitments, Sundowns will be back in action in April for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where they will face ES Tunis in a two-leg encounter over the span of just one week.

Despite the challenges, Sundowns have managed to maintain their dominance in the league, with Cardoso’s men sitting 15 points clear at the top.

However, their lead comes with a significant burden: the team has played four more games than second-placed Orlando Pirates, adding to the physical and mental strain on the squad.

The prospect of more fixtures piling up, particularly with the upcoming CAF Champions League, has raised concerns about the sustainability of this grueling schedule.

Cardoso has not been shy about expressing his concerns over the demanding calendar, and during his post-match interview on SuperSport TV, he made it clear that the situation was unsustainable.

“It’s absolutely insane what’s happening to Sundowns,” he said, his frustration evident.

“The schedule is insane, it’s not normal, it doesn’t respect a human being, and I think it should be thought of and well considered because I don’t know how it’s possible. But we keep alive, we struggle, and we will continue pushing forward for sure.”

While the result against Sekhukhune United was a positive one, Cardoso did not shy away from acknowledging the difficulties his team faced during the match.

He explained that while Sundowns took control early in the game, the aggressive, long-ball style of Sekhukhune posed significant challenges.

“A very difficult match, very difficult context,” Cardoso said. “It was good in the right moments we scored, they gave us obviously an emotional advantage. But I also think we started the game very well.

We controlled the match, and that allowed us to gain a good advantage. Anyway, it was difficult to react to the style of game that Sekhukhune played. They just played long balls, long balls, aggressive.”

Despite the difficulty of the match, Cardoso praised his players for their resilience and determination, highlighting their ability to withstand Sekhukhune’s physical approach.

“Respect for my players as they did their best and obviously they deserved to win,” he added.

Cardoso’s comments highlight the ongoing challenges Sundowns face as they continue to compete on multiple fronts.

The combination of a busy domestic schedule and the pressure of international competition in the CAF Champions League presents a unique set of challenges for the team, and it’s clear that the coach is concerned about the toll it will take on his players over the course of the season.

In particular, Cardoso’s comments regarding the physical demands of the schedule raise important questions about the long-term health of the players, who may be at risk of fatigue and injury from such a packed calendar.

As the season progresses, the intense pressure on Sundowns to maintain their form and secure a record-breaking eighth consecutive league title will only increase.

While the team’s depth and quality are undeniable, the sheer volume of matches raises questions about how sustainable this success can be without proper rest and recovery for the players.

For now, the focus is on navigating this exhausting period of the season and ensuring that the squad stays healthy and sharp for the challenges ahead.

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