Coach Miguel: It’s a Match We Need to Play with Much Respect

The 2024/25 Nedbank Cup campaign presents Mamelodi Sundowns another opportunity to vie for their seventh title, having last lifted it in 2022. Masandawana will shift their focus to the cup competition following their triumph in the Betway Premiership when they play host to Free State ABC Motsepe League side, Sibanye Golden Stars FC on Saturday night at Loftus Versfeld.

For coach Miguel Cardoso, it will be his first time leading his side in the competition, and while the Club will be in their quest to lift their seventh Nedbank Cup silverware, for him, it will be his first. His first assignment will be to knock out the Free State-based side in the Round of 32, to advance to the Last 16. Previewing Saturday’s game in a press conference, coach Miguel said his charges are facing an unfamiliar opponent, which has compelled them to put extra effort into studying them and prepare for the fixture.

“I started preparing for the match and in the last few days, my staff has been working on our opponents. We didn’t have information on them, but we are now aware of the team we are going to play, after watching them play live in their last game. It’s a match we need to play with much respect like all the matches we play. We will not look at where they come from because if we do, we can find ourselves making mistakes in terms of how we approach the game,” the coach said.

“We will approach the game in a serious manner and that’s the only way we can win the tricky matches that cups usually bring. We don’t want to be surprised. I will be serious in the way I will demand my players to face the game. This is not only respect for our opponents but also respect for ourselves and the competition. This is a very important competition that we want to play to win,” he continued.

The Brazilians came close to lifting the silverware last season but were unable to after losing out in the final stages of the match to Orlando Pirates in the final. This, including the six titles, is an indication of the experience they bring in this competition, in contrast to their opponent who was last involved in 2016. Coach Miguel has, however, emphasized that his side will not be heading to the fixture resting on their laurels. He pleaded with his men to go into this game with the right attitude.

You don’t prepare for this kind of match the day before the game, you need to prepare the attitude in general. That’s what we have been doing since we arrived at the Club so that we understand that it’s not a matter of who you are playing but the attitude more than the motivation.”

“I don’t believe in short-term motivation and external motivation. I believe in drive and pursuit as the way to live. That’s what we’re trying to build in the locker room in terms of values. If we live according to these values, that’s the way we’re going to behave all the time,” he concluded.

Mamelodi Sundowns will host Sibanye Golden Stars on Saturday evening at Loftus Versfeld. Kick-off is scheduled for 18H00, live on SuperSport TV.

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