Miguel Cardoso demands respect for Mamelodi Sundowns & insists referees 'punished them' by disallowing legit goal against Sekhukhune United - 'It's important people are responsible in Mzansi'

Mamelodi Sundowns hosted Sekhukhune United in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final staged at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.

After a goalless draw in regulation time, Jayden Adams scored in the 119th minute to send Masandawana to the semi-final, where they will play Kaizer Chiefs.

However, coach Miguel Cardoso was unhappy with some issues that he felt should be addressed.

Peter Shalulile thought he had won it for Masandawana in the 90th minute after tapping in Lucas Ribeiro's low cross, only for the referee to wrongly flag him up for offside. Cardoso was left unhappy with the officials, and he has now asked for action.

"It's the second time that we have scored legal goals that are not given," he stated.

“We scored a goal in the 90th minute. It’s a clear clean goal, and again, we are punished by the bad decision.

“It’s important that people that are in charge of football take responsibility."

The Portuguese has further raised his concerns regarding the scheduling of matches.

"We should understand what we are clearly doing here today. This match should not have been played [on Friday]," he continued.

"It’s important that people that are responsible in South Africa for football understand the clubs defend the country. And at the moment we’re playing football, there’s a team we gonna play Tuesday that is preparing themselves, resting, having the players in the proper condition to play the next game that is the Champions League match.

"We should not be here today, we should not be here!"

On Tuesday, Sundowns play Esperance in the Caf Champions League quarter-final. Cardoso feels his team could have been given enough time to prepare.

“I think that Mamelodi Sundowns for many years have been defending South African football very well abroad and in the country, and that should be taken into consideration and respected."

"In Tunisia, the people protect the team that plays in the Champions League and Confederation Cup, and it’s a long time they’ve been waiting for the next match. They’re travelling safe, in peace, preparing themselves, and we’re playing football, thank you very much," Cardoso concluded.

Cardoso and his technical team will have to be creative in ensuring the players are not fatigued and at the same time ready to play Esperance at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane.

The 52-year-old was signed to help the reigning Premier Soccer League champions deliver the second star in the continental assignment.