Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has attributed his team’s MTN8 semi-final exit to physical exhaustion, saying it impacted their rhythm and overall performance against Orlando Pirates.
Despite a 1-1 draw in both legs of the semi-final, the Brazilians fell short in the penalty shootout, losing 4-1 to the Buccaneers.
Cardoso reflected on the lack of fluidity in Sundowns’ play, noting that fatigue had taken its toll.
Read: Orlando Pirates Edge Sundowns in Shootout to Reach Final
Saturday’s clash at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium saw Iqraam Rayners give Sundowns an early lead in the 17th minute, but Kamogelo Sebelebele leveled for Pirates in the 73rd, forcing the match into a tense shootout where the visitors ultimately prevailed.
Tshegofatso Mabasa netted the winning spot-kick after Sipho Chaine made two penalty saves to deny Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende.
Speaking after the game, Cardoso explained that his side was still feeling the effects of an intense pre-season that saw the Betway Premiership champions compete in the Club World Cup in the United States.
He said in the Citizen: “The question is that my players tried but it’s also clear that we saw on the pitch an abnormal number of mistakes on simple passes because with me fatigue is not physical but it’s a brain thing.
“And because of fatigue, we made many more mistakes. That’s why you didn’t see the same fluidity in our game.
“It’s clear that not only were these two highly demanding matches from the beginning to the end, but it’s also because at the moment we’re not able to do much more than that and it’s important to understand.”
Next up for Downs is a league clash away to Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday.
Cardoso added: “We haven’t played many matches. Orlando Pirates were resting while we were playing at the Club World Cup and while we were still there, Pirates were already preparing for the season and that means we’re a little bit late compared to other teams.
We know that we’re not at the place we would like to be to play such matches.”