Mamelodi Sundowns coach urges fans to have faith in imminent squad rotation

The Brazilians remained in Durban after winning the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates before facing Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday. 

They will now travel to Angola to face log leaders Wiliete in a CAF Champions League assignment this weekend.

Following the Carling Knockout last-16 draw, which paired Sundowns with Marumo Gallants, Cardoso urged supporters to trust his rotation policy. 

"I would like Mamelodi Sundowns fans to also understand that, so they can support our technical decisions here and there. It will be clear that we are managing the group, but managing the group puts the ones who show us that they are in better condition to play. We also need to manage motivation; we need to have a group that is permanently on the edge of motivation, and we would like to have them like that," said Cardoso. 

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The coach also called on Downs players to be ready at any moment, using defender Fawaaz Basadien as an example.

"Obviously, we know that we have competition in positions and there are players who can play at any moment. Fawaaz had a beautiful game on Tuesday, but in the final, it had been [Divine] Lunga and Aubrey [Modiba] playing. So, ja, the boys are giving answers to the challenges we've posed. We tell them to trust that their moment will appear. I am also pleased to unwrap the trophy from the plastic and give it to Fawaaz because he understands the message when we speak with them."

Cardoso, however, insisted that even with rotation the standards cannot drop especially given the form that Wiliete is in currently.

Reacting to the Carling Knockout draw after being crowned MTN8 champions, Cardoso preached humility going forward.