A number of Mamelodi Sundowns players won’t have a big rest period after
the international break with a number of their players called up to the
Bafana Bafana squad while some are competing at the U-20 FIFA World Cup.
Despite all this, head coach Miguel Cardoso has said that he is not
worried with the problems but rather focused on finding the solutions.
Addressing the media on Thursday afternoon at the SAB Headquarters ahead
of their Carling Knockout game against Marumo Gallants, Cardoso said they
will make use of the FIFA break to work with the players who are not with
the national team at the moment.
“You come back on the job of a that is head of a big team. It happens to
me. It happens to many coaches all over the world. The call up to the
national team just came out we know we are back with the numbers in the
national team which makes us proud. You know that we also have five
players in the Under 20 national team.
“It means that the effective of our squad in the next week will be very
small and we have to prepare for the Champions League qualifying round for
the groups where we are going to play two matches and we are playing in
Nigeria what makes it even more difficult because we have to travel there
and the trip to Nigeria is obviously difficult.
“The city we are going to play in we have to travel for two days. We can
not make both flights in one day, but we are here to deal with solutions
not problems. We have to do the best possible. Understand the context what
will happen when the players finish their matches with the national team.
Let’s hope the youngsters can go throughout the competition long and
obviously that Bafana does well and then we will deal with the context
that we have.
“I am here to deal with the solution not to deal with problems. I don’t
relate with problems. We will see who is in the best condition to find
first eleven to start that match. But obviously it will not be such useful
period of time than other coaches in that teams to have the chance we
have.
“For us it’s basically rest for the ones who stayed trying to find among
them numbers in order to work in a structure that gives us close to what
we want and when the guys come from the other different parts of the world
let’s say get this best. Their hearts and minds remind them of what we
want as the prinMamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has insisted
he is focused on finding solutions, not dwelling on problems, as a
significant number of his players depart for international duty.
With several key players called up to the senior Bafana Bafana squad and
five others competing at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Sundowns will have a
severely reduced squad during the international break. This comes at a
critical time, as the team must immediately prepare for a challenging CAF
Champions League qualifying round trip to Nigeria upon the break’s
conclusion.
Addressing the media ahead of the Carling Knockout clash, Cardoso
acknowledged the difficulties. “The effective of our squad in the next
week will be very small,” he stated. “We have to prepare for the Champions
League… and we are playing in Nigeria, which makes it even more
difficult because we have to travel there and the trip is obviously
difficult.”
Despite the complex logistics and limited preparation time, the coach
maintained a resolutely positive and pragmatic outlook. “We are here to
deal with solutions, not problems. I don’t relate with problems,” Cardoso
emphasized.
His plan for the break is two-fold:
- Work with the remaining players: Use the time for rest and to drill
the team’s core principles with the limited squad available. - Integrate returning players quickly: Upon their return, the focus will
be on rapidly re-aligning the international players with the team’s
tactical model.
Cardoso concluded by expressing pride in his players’ call-ups and hope
for their success, underscoring his commitment to adapting to the
circumstances. “We will see who is in the best condition to find the first
eleven… and try to play according to our principles as soon as
possible.”ciples of the game and try to play according to that as soon as
quick as possible. ”
