Miguel Cardoso blames Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs games for Mamelodi Sundowns' struggle and warns critics - 'When people try to induce emotional status or create noise, it just makes us stronger'

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has blamed away matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for his club's struggles.

Sundowns met Pirates in the semi-final of the MTN8, and the first leg was played at the Orlando Stadium before the decisive second-leg encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

After facing Pirates, Sundowns were scheduled for a Premier Soccer League away game against Chiefs at the FNB Stadium, and Cardoso believes the two games in Soweto have contributed to the struggle they face.

“And obviously, playing a semi-final of MTN8 against [Orlando] Pirates takes us to the limit, even before. Because if the draw had been our friend, we could have, with all due respect, taken Sekhukhune [United], or probably we could have, or Stellies; it would have been eventually more. We played Pirates away; we played [Kaizer] Chiefs away," Cardoso told the media.

“That was a match that we had to change as a feature for the away match because we had no stadium available for the match, and then we still have to play Stellenbosch away. So, our season, for the moment, is what it is."

“In the middle of the whole match, we played Magesi and Richards Bay, so we knew the moment we would have to face them. And that’s why I’m always speaking about how we are strong enough, and we don’t need the people from outside who just try to destabilise us."

The Portuguese tactician also warned that the noise and criticism the Brazilians are facing are just making them stronger by the day.

“When people don’t understand the influence from the outside on a team and try to induce emotional status or create noise around it, it just makes us stronger, because we become stronger," he added.

"That’s the nature of Mamelodi Sundowns: to live through and out of the difficult moments and become stronger."

Cardoso has been forced to defend the performance of his team since the season began. The PSL defending champions failed to win their season-opening game after a 1-1 draw against Chippa United.

Although they have defeated AmaZulu, Magesi, and Stellenbosch and picked up a point against Chiefs from a goalless draw, Sundowns' performances have been scrappy.

The Tshwane giants were also eliminated by the Sea Robbers from the MTN8 tournament at the semi-final stage, adding more pressure to Cardoso and the players.

The Brazilians know that only wins - and convincing wins, for that matter - will get them out of the negative spotlight they find themselves in now.

After five games and three wins, Downs are third and will play Marumo Gallants on September 17.