Downs coach unhappy with PSL scheduling before Caf Champions League clash

Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a crucial 2-0 win over Orbit College FC in Rustenburg on Tuesday to return to the top of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), but coach Miguel Cardoso expressed dissatisfaction with the scheduling that meant Downs had to play a game just three days before the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Mali’s Stade Malien.

Tuesday’s league victory took the Brazilians to 47 points from 20 games and a three-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates (44 from 19), who play Richards Bay, their game in hand, on Wednesday night.

But Cardoso said the game was a distruption in his side’s preparations for Friday’s encounter with Stade Malien.

“I don’t want to make too many comments but tonight is dark. I don’t think it is a beautiful day for South African football. We were obliged to play a league match three days before a Champions League game,” he said after the league win at Olympia Park.

“It’s a big disturbance for preparations for such a match. Our main focus is on recovering players and not really on preparation because there is no time to do that.”

Still, Cardoso said his side must attempt to keep a clean sheet in Friday’s home leg.

“We must make sure when we attack, we are balanced and capable to be stronger on rest defence, to press after losing the ball and not to allow imbalances in our defence.

“Clean sheets are always important for a team like us and going forward we usually score as Sundowns.”

Stade Malien have lost their last two Malian Première Division matches, to log leaders Real Bamako and Binga, and are languishing in eighth place, but cannot be taken lightly after their impressive performances in the group stages of the Champions League.

The 2009 Confederation Cup winners topped a tough Group D with 11 points, ahead of Espérance de Tunis (9), Petro de Luanda (6) and Simba (5).

“We are going to play a team that is very competitive. They can be narrow and keep stability on the defensive line closer to the midfielders,” Cardoso said.

“They rely on the four guys on the front in their No 10, two wingers and striker. When they do a counterattack, they don’t expose their defence too much.”