If you have hopes of seeing a scoreline that matches or betters that of Mamelodi Sundowns' 24-0 masterclass against Powerlines FC, it is best to let those hopes evaporate, says Miguel Cardoso.
When Masandawana demolished Powerlines in 2012, Cardoso was working as an assistant coach at Portuguese side Sporting CP as the then Johan Neeskens-coached Downs recorded the biggest score-line in South African football.
Sundowns host Mpheni on Sunday at the Lucas Moripe Stadium where chances of seeing a 24-0 or something similar are very low.
“We have big respect for any opponent and I don’t believe that these kinds of results will happen again in the next few years.
“This happens once in a lifetime and we will not be here to see it again. What I believe is that we have to fight to get a good result and we need to understand the moment.
Looking for a place in the last 8! 🙌
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 13, 2025
⚽ Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mpheni Home Defenders
📅 16 Feb
⏰ 15H00
🏟 Lucas Moripe Stadium
📺 SS 202#Sundowns #NedbankCup #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/bgL1f8g0kK
“The moment is for us to provide an opportunity for players who have not been playing a lot and to provide rest for those who are tired and need to recover.
“We know the challenge for such games and we need to perform at the highest level in order to get results. We have to build a team that is as strong as possible and we have to analyze the players who can cope with the situation,” said Cardoso.
Be that as it, Sundowns are the firm favorite’s to advance to the next round, given their profile and quality of players. However, the Downs mentor is very modest in his approach.
“It is not a matter of confidence but respect and the biggest respect we should have is for ourselves and that is to put everything we have on the pitch. I have the obligation to make the boys understand the importance of the game. If we do it, the difference should be expressed in the result.
“I have biggest respect for every team and if we respect ourselves, we respect the opponent and we don’t have any [bad] attitude towards anyone or thinking we are better than everyone else.
“We know the demands and the weight of the badge on our shirt. We have to fight for the first goal from the first minute and if we do so, naturally we should win. But there is still 90 minutes to be played,” said Cardoso.
