Miguel Cardoso, the Mamelodi Sundowns coach, said his team must be prepared to be stretched to the limits to overcome Kaizer Chiefs in Sunday’s Nedbank Cup semi-final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria (6pm kick-off).
The Portuguese tactician called on his players to harness their highest levels of motivation and skill.
He had a high regard for Kaizer Chiefs, and referred to them as one of the historical and top teams in South Africa.
Cardoso and the Sundowns squad returned triumphantly to Johannesburg from Tunisia on Wednesday, after Tuesday’s CAF Champions League semi-final against Esperance, and he rested the squad on Thursday.
He said this is no ordinary match, because after it is completed, one team will be out of the tournament.
“With this match, we are approaching the final of the competition. You’ll see the level of the opponents rises. We will be up against one of the historical and top teams in South Africa. We need to pay strong attention to Chiefs,” said Cardoso.
Last November, Chiefs beat Sundowns 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the final of the inaugural Home of Legends Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, and the outcome was not lost on Cardoso at Thursday’s Nedbank Cup press conference.
Ronwen Williams shares his thoughts on the performance, praising the team for taking their chances and delivering when it mattered most.👆#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/3IhTEXCs1I
“We played them for the championship... it was a very difficult match. We were dealing with some particular situations regarding the number of games we were playing at the time,” said Cardoso.
“Chiefs are always a very strong team, well coached by coach Nasreddine Nabi.
“We need to take ourselves to the limit to win the match and go on to the final of this competition.
“As I said from the very beginning, it’s our objective to arrive at the decisive moment of a championship match.
“We need to push Mamelodi Sundowns (players) to the highest level, to the highest level of motivation.
“This highest level must offer the capacity to play, as well as to overcome the difficulties that naturally will appear during a 90-minute clash.”
“We hope that in this, match, considering what we are playing for, we have the style of game we are playing for, and for the opponent we are playing against.”
Cardoso’s pep talk for the Chiefs match already started in the Rades dressing room after the Esperance clash.
He realised the importance of keeping the players grounded because of their stellar Champions League feat.
“I spoke about that (staying grounded) immediately after the Esperance in the locker room in Tunisia,” said Cardoso.
“When I addressed the players in the locker room in Tunisia, I congratulated and praised them for the fact that they had just beaten the team that is second on the CAF (club) ranking.
A hard-fought battle in Rades! ✅
Next Stop: The Semi-finals! 🔜🌍#Sundowns #TotalEnergiesCAFCL pic.twitter.com/LD7w3KNYEn
“I have just been informed Mamelodi Sundowns has moved into the second position on the ranking because of the result.
“This is wonderful for South Africa, or the club, me and for the players – but we cannot stand still now after that feat.”
Cardoso said his team were not always consistent against the Soweto giants.
He recalled defeats against Chiefs and Pirates, and felt the need to toughen up mentally.
“It means that we have a strong mental work ahead of us,” he said.
“I am feeling a strong will and a strong commitment regarding the future.
“We should feed ourselves with victories, and ensure we are always at the top of our game.”