Miguel Cardoso Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso cut a frustrated figure on the touchline during the 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
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The Betway Premiership throws up regular upset results, but Mamelodi Sundowns will prevail and become champions again for the eighth consecutive season.
A few days ago, Sundowns were held to a shock draw by lowly Golden Arrows, who were on a six-match winless streak. It was the third time this season that Sundowns dropped points after suffering defeats to Polokwane City and TS Galaxy.
After the Arrows stalemate, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso was visibly angry about the officiating and refused to elaborate but said: "I just want to make it clear that in normal conditions, we will be champions, and in abnormal (unfair) situations, we will be champions again."
Sundowns have been dealing with a hectic match schedule which contributed to dropping points on three occasions. Cardoso has regularly condemned the schedule which constantly posed challenges for his team. He was forced to exercise regular rotation which interrupted the team's momentum from one match to the next.
Despite dropping points, Cardoso is confident his side will be crowned champions again. His squad of superstars have far and away the best players in the PSL premiership and enjoys tremendous depth. All that remains for Cardoso to do is to maintain his players in peak condition for the rest of the season.
Sundowns have a massive technical staff comprising several coaches, supported by analysis and medical teams. They provide valuable input that tells Cardoso which players are fit to play and how they are coping with the workload.
Cardoso has also become aware that teams are putting extra effort into plans and preparation for their games against Sundowns. This was illustrated in the recent match against Arrows who were guided by the former Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
His intimate knowledge of Sundowns players equipped Arrows to go toe-to-toe with the log leaders. Sundowns failed to score a field goal, and relied on a penalty to equalise, after Arrows shocked them with the opening goal, early in the first half.
Apart from the three Premiership setbacks, the relegation-doomed Magesi FC claimed a shock 2-1 win over Sundowns in the Carling Knockout final, in Bloemfontein, towards the end of November. Since then Cardoso has repeatedly said his team must show opposition teams respect. He implied his players tend to drop their guard when playing against rank weaker teams like Magesi and Gallants.
The club's recruitment programme never stops, and as new players are signed up, players who are hardly used are put up for sale or sent out to rival clubs on a loan agreement.
At this stage, Sundowns has amassed 55 log points, after 21 games. Their nearest rivals, Orlando Pirates have 39 points, after 17 games. Pirates have suffered four defeats this season.
Just when it seemed Pirates could be considered serious contenders they suffered a recent 2-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants. Their Spanish coach Jose Riveiro had been serving a touchline ban at the time of this match and it could have contributed to the team's defeat.
Riveiro has also raised concerns about the additional workload for players, who are called up for national team duty. Sundowns will supply the bulk of the players for the Bafana Bafana squad which will play World Cup qualifiers in 10 days.
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