THAPELO Morena is one of the players Mamelodi Sundowns will be relying on as they chase a trebble. Backpagepix
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Mamelodi Sundowns’ coach Miguel Cardoso says they need to stick together as a unit as they try to overcome the adversities that have been thrown their way.
Sundowns have a hectic schedule. They are competing for the Betway Premiership title, the CAF Champions League and Nedbank Cup crowns.
So far, so good. They are top of log standings with a 16-point lead and are in the Champions League and Nedbank Cup quarter-final in which they face Esperance and Sekhukhune United.
Sure, that augurs well for the club’s upward trajectory in the land and continent, but that’s clearly taking a toll on the players as they have to push themselves to the limit.
That probably sounds like a flimsy excuse given the depth and numbers that Cardoso has at his disposal as they have deep pockets.
But like any other coach, Cardoso wants to keep the camaraderie and consistency among the players, and that’s why he has referred to a moment he had with his players recently.
“Football performance is not about 11 players in this case, but a group of players thinking the same thing, at the same time, under good physical conditions,” Cardoso said.
“It’s about uniting hearts, making brotherhood. I shared the thoughts which were public with me and Thapelo (Morena) and Tebza (Mokoena) after the match with Chiefs when we were embracing each other.
“Those emotions are what glues football people in one team. And that’s the bond that keeps us strong, attached and committed.
“For me, it’s about reminding them of certain moments like that. That’s what I did and said at half-time, ‘please boys (work together as the team)’. I had told them before.”
Sundowns need to work together as a team when they host Sekhukhune in the Nedbank Cup at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville tonight (8pm kick-off).
Sekhukhune are coach-less after sacking Lehlohonolo Seema on Thursday night following back-to-back losses to Sundowns and Richards Bay in the league.
The departure of Seema, which has left Kaitano Tembo and Paulos Masehe at the helm, has, of course, shocked the football fraternity, including his counterpart Cardoso.
Sure, Cardoso might have gotten the better of Seema in their last outing in the league a few weeks ago, winning 4-2, but the Lesotho born coach had led his side to a fourth spot in the league and the Ke Yona Cup quarter-finals.
But such is the nature of the game, coaches come and go. But over and above that, teams must do what they can do: win their own games against their opponents.
And that’s why Cardoso believes that as they head into the final stretch of the season, they need to do their bit as a team to reach their targets.
“Let’s focus on what we can control. Also, myself as a coach, I am just focusing on what I can control,” Cardoso explained.
“Our work is to create a team that is balanced … but we must deal with the risk that comes with different moments of the game and try to bring variances into the game that can help us.
“That is the most important thing now – to be united and strong. Try to give your soul for the other one to thrive.”