Cardoso blames pitch and criticises opponents

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso blamed a slow pitch and criticised his opponents’ approach in a tetchy post-match analysis of his side’s goalless draw at Richards Bay on Sunday.

The result denied Sundowns a chance to go to the top of the Betway Premiership standings, although they are one point behind leaders Orlando Pirates but have a game in hand.

“It was a match that we expected in terms of the characteristics of the game, the conditions of the pitch, that was very slow, and the characteristics of the Richards Bay team, which had a lot of physicality and intensity,” said Cardoso.

“And from there, obviously, they were quite dangerous on counterattacks in certain moments of the game.

“So, it was absolutely our intention to control the match as much as possible, in order to minimise the impact of Richards Bay’s counters.

“I think we started quite well in terms of doing what we intended. Obviously, the loss of Artur Sales (who suffered a shoulder injury) in the very early stages of the match did not help as we had to take out a player who was quite important in terms of the game plan that we had,” the Sundowns coach added.

“But at halftime, we made some corrections in order to take advantage of what we expected would be Richards Bay dropping some energy. We had more ball but not enough for us to find that moment to score.

“And then the last 20 minutes were dramatic in terms of emotion management, because obviously we knew that it would be important to get a victory.

"We pushed forward so there were a couple of very difficult situations to deal with from Richards Bay when they counter. But we had to look to find a goal. But we didn't and we have to take the responsibility for this result, of course.”

A hard-fought battle sees both sides share the points as focus now shifts to Polokwane City👆

Richards Bay 0️⃣➖0️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns #Sundowns #BetwayPrem #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/TglFYN4UJV — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 26, 2026

Orlando Pirates had also been held at the uMhlathuze Sports Complex this month and Kaizer Chiefs had lost on the Northern KwaZulu-Natal coast in March.

“We were aware of how difficult they are,” said Cardoso of the home side, who are in 10th place in the league standings.

“And it's not because of what they play. It's because of what they fight, because they don't play. They just try to use counterattacks and go from there.”

Off the pitch, Cardoso said it was slowly dry and the grass cut high.

“It's a way to manage the game and make it to the advantage of the home team.

“Anyway, nothing to say, it's what it is. It's the rules of the football here in South Africa that the pitches are not allowed to be watered.

“We have to manage the game like it is played in South Africa. Whether it's good for football or not, people must decide if that’s the game they want to see, and that is the game that South Africa wants to develop for the future.

“For me, I don't want to be involved in this kind of game and this kind of football at all. But it's what we have. We have to deal with it,” the Sundowns coach added.