Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says the recent squad rotation is not something he usually does but the current situation has forced his hand.
Sundowns have continued making several changes to their starting line-up as was the case under his predecessor Manqoba Mngqithi.
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But the results have continued with Masandawana at the top of the table, with six consecutive league wins, 12 goals scored and none conceded, since their surprise loss to Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“I had to confess, the context obliges me to be different than I usually like, I don’t like to change a lot in my teams,” Cardoso said after the 2-0 win over Richards Bay.
“I confess this to you, but we need to deal with a different reality because indeed we have players in the group who are coming back from long-term injuries, which is public [knowledge].
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“We have some who are recovering, Grant is joining the group, Lebusa will probably join the group, and Marcelo will probably come back into the group. So according to what we have in the different moments, to mange, regarding recovery…
“Because sometimes we have a player who we want to probably have to play regarding the characteristics of the game and his own… but due to his condition it’s better to line up another one that can give a performance that probably we will not have today.”
Cardoso made a bold move to drop top scorer Iqraam Rayners to the bench but found answers with Artur Sales and Lucas Ribeiro Costa finding the net at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Terrence Masehgo earned a rare start while Tashreeq Matthew returned after an extended spell on the sidelines due to injury, providing more options for Cardoso and his technical team who have five fixtures over a 30-day days in all competitions.
“With Iqraam the plan was to give him so time not to expose him to such aggression that he had in the last game but at the same time we have a huge group of players and I also need to pay attention to those I have at home and in the right moments they have quality, they can give answers like Terrence did today,” he explained.
“I should pay attention to that because at any moment we will need players ready to substitute the other ones, the importance is that they believe we will give them opportunities and when we give them, that they give the proper answers so they are ready for that moment and make a difference.
“Tashreeq came from an injury for quite long also, a very interesting player, quite young but can give us things, so I don’t like to highlight one because I believe we are working in a line all together and I just one them to focus on the daily work, so at the right moment if an opportunity comes by changes or rotation or injury, we have the answer.
“That’s what they need to focus on because I believe in them [as a squad] and I hope they believe in the same way.”
Sundowns now turn their attention to Raja Atheltic Club in the CAF Champions League, who they face next weekend in Morocco.
