Mamelodi Sundowns are chasing three trophy titles as they trudge towards the end of the season.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS COACH MIGUEL CARDOSO ON TIGHT SCHEDULE
“It’s obviously not nice to imagine that we might play this match (against Sekhukhune) close to the Champions League match,” Cardoso said as per Vodacom Soccer.
“Esperance play tomorrow and from then until the match against us, they will not play. That will allow them to avoid more injuries, recover their players 100% and compete in the Champions League at the highest level.
“Our expectations were that we will play against Pirates and then prepare for the Champions League match with the right context in order to arrive in the first and second match in the best condition possible. Let’s see what happens, I don’t have any idea which date the match will be played,” Cardoso concluded.
WHY NEO MAEMA IS NOT PLAYING FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Mamelodi Sundowns supporters have been wondering why Neo Maema has not been playing. Here’s an update from coach Miguel Cardoso.
Maema’s last start for Kabo Yellow was back in December 2024. According to coach Cardoso, the 29-year-old did not fully grab his chance on the field.
“What I have to say regarding the players is that it’s very important when you have an opportunity [to play] at Sundowns, they grab it with both hands,” the Sundowns mentor said via FARPost. “There are many players, and when you miss an opportunity, someone will grab it, and it’s quite difficult to go back on the rhythm.
“What’s happening with Neo? He has qualities, and we believe in him so much. I just want to remind you that when I arrived in the first match, Neo was in the first 11 when we played Raja Casablanca. So he’s a player that we trust among the other ones. He’s a player I’ve been speaking to a lot because I know he has the quality, and in the last period, he hasn’t been playing so much, and obviously, that doesn’t make him happy, but I’m so happy he had a good performance with the national team.
The Sundowns mentor concluded: “I think it was positive for him because we will profit from that energy and the excitement. It’s not a problem of quality with Neo, he has a lot of quality, it’s just a matter of expressing it on a regular basis.”
In the meantime, the champions will visit Orlando Pirates on Sunday at the Orlando Stadium at 15:30.
CAN NEO MAEMA BOUNCE BACK TO BECOME A KEY PLAYER FOR THE CLUB?
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