Photo Credit - Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is not interested with the gap they have opened at the summit of the Betway Premiership table ahead of their rivals Orlando Pirates.
Following their 1-0 victory against Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, the Brazilians are currently sitting at the top of the 16-team table with 54 points, 18 more than second-placed Pirates, though the latter have played four matches less.
Despite the huge gap, the Portuguese tactician says the club’s focus is not to look behind but to focus ahead, and his immediate task is to beat Golden Arrows in their next league fixture at Mpumalanga Stadium on Wednesday.
“Regarding the point’s difference, we don't look back; we look forward and by doing that we are looking forward to our next game against Golden Arrows. It will be a tough match again,” Cardoso told the media as quoted by Sowetan.
“That's the respect we should have for everybody because PSL matches are tricky. So, we must have a lot of respect for everybody. We are a team to beat and there is extra energy when we play against any team.”
With the PSL champions playing in almost every three days, Cardoso further revealed what he has been doing to keep his players fresh and ready for the task ahead. “I try to manage the situations as much as possible.
“I have a big commitment in terms of managing the players in the best way. As much as we believe in all of them, they are not all equal and we have those who go to the national teams and also have to perform because they want to be there.
“We need to have good communication and give them as much rest as possible. There is a big group in the team that is working hard to manage the players, trying to work on them to avoid injuries.
“Trying to work on them to recover from match to match and we are trying to deal with strategies as much as possible to have the players physically available because the fatigue and overload of matches is dramatic if you don't give them the opportunity even in the presence of the family. So, we have to provide them with mental freshness.”
So far this season, Sundowns have won 18 league matches, drawn zero and lost two.
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