Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has launched a strong critique
against what he perceives as a league-wide tactic to disadvantage his team,
claiming opponents deliberately change venues to hostile and sub-standard
conditions when hosting the defending champions.
Ahead of Saturday’s high-stakes Betway Premiership clash with Orlando
Pirates at Loftus Stadium, the Portuguese coach pointed to a consistent
pattern of unfair treatment.
“Usually, in the PSL, when teams play Sundowns they change places,” Cardoso
stated. “Mostly when we play away, we play in places that no other team
plays.”
He provided specific examples to underscore his frustration, highlighting
the inconsistent playing environments. “For example, when we played Magesi,
we went to play on a pitch that no one plays on—just Mamelodi Sundowns. When
we go to play Polokwane, we play at a pitch that no one plays [on], only
Sundowns plays.”
Cardoso argued that this forces his team to be exceptionally strong at home
to remain competitive. “When you play away, usually we struggle a lot
because of unhealthful conditions, and mostly we are not given the same
conditions as the competition requires. I don’t know why, but that’s what
happens.”
This season, Sundowns’ formidable home form at venues like Loftus Versfeld
has been a cornerstone of their success, with a perfect record so far. Their
only defeat came in an away match against Golden Arrows.
Saturday’s encounter against Pirates now becomes a critical test of that
home dominance. With kick-off at 15h30, the match is poised to be a pivotal
early chapter in this season’s title race.
