Mamelodi Sundowns Coach Cardoso Outlines Plan to Manage PSL Fixtures Ahead of CAF Champions League - Diski 365

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has detailed the club's strategy to manage Betway Premiership fixtures in preparation for another CAF Champions League campaign, with ambitions of reaching the final. Sundowns became the first PSL club to complete 10 league games this season, after requesting to play five matches within a fortnight. Cardoso explained that the approach allows the team to clear weekday matches and focus on Champions League weekends. "We want to have the weeks of the Champions League full," Cardoso said. "I will demand that when there is a South African team playing in the Champions League, it is not only representing the club or the badge but represents South African football. And it is important that everybody knows that. So, we try to clean the weeks from matches so that we can play Champions League and arrive at the last stages and be on the path to compete with the biggest teams." Cardoso highlighted that top African clubs avoid midweek league games in the lead-up to Champions League fixtures. He drew on his experience with Esperance, saying, "I was that side one year ago when I played in the final with Esperance. We didn't ask to change the matches because the calendar is done so that Champions League teams don't play in the middle of the week because they want the Tunisian teams to take the Champions League seriously." Sundowns have already adjusted their schedule, playing Magesi FC twice in the first six league matches. The coaching staff is also targeting a fixture on Sunday, November 9, following the Carling Knockout semifinals, to ensure players are not overburdened before international breaks. "For example, we are trying to play a match on the next weekend. After Pirates, we play Galaxy on Wednesday, and we are going team by team in the PSL to see who can accept to play against us on Sunday, November 9, just before the next FIFA dates," Cardoso explained. "Already we tried four clubs and no one wants to play, maybe someone is telling them not to play against us on that weekend. But we are trying because we want to clean the future so that when we come from the international break, and we have to play Orbit three days before a Champions League match, our players are ready. In January, the same situation will happen with CAF matches after AFCON finals." Cardoso stressed the importance of scheduling and preparation for international success. "We are just trying to create conditions to succeed internationally, where sometimes we manage matches. Also, we don't expect that this season Sundowns or any team will have to play after the last end-of-season calendar match like it happened last year when four or five matches were played after. We don't expect that favour, so we need to play the matches on the fixtures that they are." By clearing league fixtures in advance, Sundowns aim to maintain peak performance in the CAF Champions League while balancing domestic commitments, reflecting a disciplined approach to squad management and long-term success.