Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted that facing Marumo Gallants coach Phuti Mohafe has never been an easy task.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference at Chloorkop ahead of Wednesday’s Betway Premiership clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Cardoso reflected on his previous encounters with Mohafe during his time at Polokwane City.
The Sundowns coach acknowledged that Mohafe has consistently made life difficult for his teams whenever they have gone head-to-head.
Cardoso also expressed his frustration over some of Polokwane City’s home matches being moved to the smaller Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
He suggested that playing at the venue limited Sundowns’ ability to play their best football and felt it may have been part of the opponents’ strategy.
“Look, first of all, Marumo has players that are very interesting. Secondly, it’s true. The coach, in the past, he made difficult times, life for Sundowns,” said Cardoso.
“I also remember that most of those matches were played in that second stadium in Polokwane. It was like a strategy to take Sundowns there to not allow the game to be played in the way it has to be played.
“That is something that I really also want to praise because when we went to play TS Galaxy, it was an appeal to change the game to a smaller stadium, and the league didn’t allow that to happen when we showed that. And that is also a step forward. We just need to be consistent on that attitude.
‘Games need to be played on best pitches’
“Best players or good matches should be played in the best pitches. That’s how South Africa will develop because that’s what we praised when we see the AFCON, we see the World Cup, we see the best matches in the Champions League. It’s teams providing conditions so that the football is well played.
“And look, we had a terrible, difficult match when we played Galaxy on the big stadiums. And the stadium was fantastic. The pitch was good.
“So, it’s not because of the pitch that teams can…It’s just a mental situation. It’s just the way teams have to commit themselves with developing for high level. So yeah, of course, it was a good challenge to face the coach again.
“Let’s hope we can succeed. But more than hope, let’s work for it to happen. Because hope will not bring nothing just by hope.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.