Grant Kekana echoes Miguel Cardoso call for fixture relief

Cardoso has repeatedly criticised the Premier Soccer League for not easing Sundowns’ domestic fixture congestion, arguing that additional recovery time would better prepare the team for their CAF Champions League commitments. 

With Sundowns hosting Stade Malien in the quarterfinal first leg tonight, Kekana admitted it would have helped if some Betway Premiership fixtures had been rescheduled. 

"Since I've arrived at Sundowns, it's pretty much been the same. So, for us who have been here for quite some time, we've sort of gotten used to it, even though its still taxing to the body," said Kekana.

"But we're also privileged to have people in the club that help us with the recovery methods, and also the way the coach tends to rest certain players during training sessions.

"So we're trying to balance it out on our side, and I think the cry is just for the country to be in support of us in our path – that's all we're asking for."

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The coach also revealed The Brazilians have been made aware of Stade Malien being a physical team. 

"We're not only representing Mamelodi Sundowns, we're representing the country, so it's taxing to the body, but we don't really let it dictate how we show up in the game," he added.

"We understand that we have to show up and that a lot is expected from us – so we're just really crying our for support."