Miguel Cardoso rants against Mamelodi Sundowns players after frustrating PSL draw against Chippa United - 'We are penalised by what we didn’t do'

Mamelodi Sundowns' head coach, Miguel Cardoso, has explained why his players could not win their Premier Soccer League opening game against Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. 

Despite taking the lead when Arthur Sales scored, the Brazilians were stunned when the Chilli Boys equalised in the second half through the new signing Khaya Mfecane. 

Cardoso has blamed his players for lacking intensity, among other things, for the frustrating away draw. 

“The outcome obviously is not the best. We have to say that we didn’t start well, and also I think we really didn’t start well in the match," Cradoso told SuperSport TV.

“When we play against this kind of team, you need to have the best attitude inside the pitch and take the game for what we control: the ball and possession, and the capacity to play in the spaces," he added.

"But it seems that we didn’t put the proper intensity to escape from the duels, so we made the first half much more physical rather than a game played in the way we want to play." 

Although he was impressed by how his players started the second half, he feels that they dropped the tempo and allowed the opponents to score. 

“At half-time, we were not happy. I think we started better in the second half, but pretty quickly we could not keep it," he continued.

"And we suffered a goal out of nothing, which obviously gave Chippa the energy they were looking for.

“From then on, I think everybody saw a lot of players falling on the ground, so it was difficult to keep the faith – we were penalised by what we didn’t do in the first half.”

The draw means that Sundowns dropped crucial points that might prove costly at the end of the season.

Being the defending champions and eyeing a ninth consecutive title, soccer fans will be following keenly to see whether Masandawana can set another record in the PSL.  

While Cardoso analysed what could have denied them maximum points, the outcome will pile pressure on him and his players.

Their next league game will be against AmaZulu on August 12. 

Elsewhere, the Tshwane giants also have a tougher challenge in the MTN8, where they will face the defending champions, Orlando Pirates, in the semi-final on August 16.