Mamelodi Sundowns urged to take control against tricky Arrows

The Brazilians host Abafana Bes’thende in the first leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday before travelling to Durban a week later for the return fixture at King Zwelithini Stadium.

Sundowns have endured mixed results against Arrows in recent meetings, and Cardoso knows they cannot afford to allow their opponents to settle. 

"We are starting off at home, but we know that it is always difficult to play Golden Arrows away from home. Last year, they gave us one of our most toughest matches. "Golden Arrows have quality so our job is to establish control in the game and we will do our best to obtain the victory. We need to go for it on Sunday and limit their counterattacks."

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Sundowns have only kept one clean sheet in their four matches so far this season and with Arrows’ speed this appears to be an area of concern. 

Cardoso has already applied his mind. 

"We need to protect the space behind our defence as soon as we lose the ball because Arrows possess quick players and we need to understand certain tactical behaviours. Small mistakes are highly penalised, and so we have to remind the players of the correct tactical choices to make. We have to fight as best we can the moment we lose the ball."

The Sundowns mentor also insisted that despite what is already becoming a congested schedule, his line-up on Saturday will be chosen on merit as the Tshwane giants target the elusive MTN8 trophy.