Sundown coach Cardoso's rallying cry to fans ahead of Pirates semi-final: Bring the energy

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has appealed to the club’s passionate supporters to "bring the energy" for Saturday's decisive MTN8 semi-final second leg against Orlando Pirates at the Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium.

Following Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership, Cardoso is eager to secure a place in the MTN8 final after their first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at Orlando Stadium.

According to Cardoso, the squad has faced challenges due to a demanding FIFA Club World Cup campaign during the regular off-season. He outlined the importance of fan support in boosting the players' spirits.

“We hope we have the Sundowns family filling our stadium so that we get energy from them like today we felt them here (Seshego Stadium). It will be a beautiful match for sure,” he said.

In his assessment of the squad’s current state, Cardoso noted that despite their recent successes, the team is still experiencing what he described as a “pre-season”.

“Look, we have 21 training sessions this season, 21. For us, it’s pre-season. We are on a schedule with matches one after the other,” he explained.

This unique situation has led the coach to utilise younger players more frequently to adapt to the limited squad size, while also ensuring that the team remains resilient and aggressive on the pitch.

The coach expressed confidence in the team's ability to grow stronger as the campaign progresses, remarking, “For sure it will be stronger in the future, and then we’ll grow. For sure, others will join the group so that we can have more power for the objective ahead of us.”