Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso reacted after his side dropped crucial points in the Betway Premiership, failing to reclaim the top spot.
The Brazilians opened the scoring through Tsiki Ntsabeleng but were pegged back by a late Tshegofatso Mabasa goal as Stellenbosch earned a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
A penalty conceded in the closing stages, initially saved by goalkeeper Williams before Mabasa converted the rebound, sealed Sundowns’ disappointment.
Cardoso said the team had only themselves to blame, citing missed opportunities and the unnecessary penalty as key factors in the result.
“What happened is a game completely under control. Many occasions to make the second goal, we didn’t score,” said Cardoso on SuperSport TV.
“And a very imprudent action from us gave a penalty in the last minutes of the game.
“We can only complain on the goals we didn’t score. I think the second half was one after the other. And when you don’t make your goal, of course, you get exposed to a mistake.
“And we did a big mistake on the approach. We were completely in control, there was no danger on that action.
“And we were reckless, very reckless the way we made that approach and we gave a penalty to the opponent. We can only complain on us, nothing more.”
‘No Complacency, But An Individual Mistake’
Cardoso then vehemently denied complacency was the reason for his side dropping points on Wednesday, but appeared irritated with the line of questioning and opted to walk away from the tv interview.
“No, no, no don’t confuse things,” he insisted.
“The team tried and had more chances to finish the game. The situation that happened for the penalty is an individual approach, which is completely reckless, nothing more.
“Of course it’s a very young player that needs to understand how to behave. Four days ago he made a fantastic match on another level.
“But of course you cannot approach a situation like this when the game is about to finish, four minutes to the end of the match, the game completely under control, there was not even one dangerous situation from Stellenbosch and we give them a goal, that’s what it is.
“Thank you.”
