Mamelodi Sundowns coach admits rotation comes with risks

With The Brazilians possessing a galaxy of stars that many of their rivals envy, the Portuguese mentor has pointed out previously the significance of giving fringe players a chance too – while others will leave on loan this month.

Sundowns thrashed amateur side Sibanye Golden Stars 5-2 to progress to the next phase of the tournament.

Although there were some casualties, like midfielder Bathusi Aubaas picking up yet another red card, Cardoso believes it was mission accomplished.

"Indeed, we're promoting more substitutions in order to give game time to all the players and it was obvious that we lost some connections. Then a mistake appears on the first goal and immediately the second one and this creates different emotions in the game,” Cardoso said.

“After the red card with Aubaas obviously it was important to finish the game but then we scored an equaliser then we scored more. It was a matter of having patience because obviously, the difference between the teams should allow us to control the game until the end."

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The hosts picked up the pace following what Cardoso claims was a tough team talk at half-time in the Loftus Stadium change rooms.

"It's obvious that cup matches can be tricky and they can be tricky when you don't take the best attitude inside the pitch. At halftime, I warned the boys very precisely regarding the attitude we should take for the second half but indeed we were not that strong in terms of commitment to the pace that you need to sustain during the second half,” the coach explained.

“It's important to understand that it was a big mix of players, some of them coming from two tough games that we had and most of all it's also important to understand that after we suffered the first goal, emotions come on the pitch and we lost ourselves a little bit in terms of organisations, [it's] clear.

“Also, it was a moment that the boys gathered themselves and they fought for the goal and we scored, I think we scored twice and we eventually finished the game much more easier in terms of the score. Anyways five goals scored in the game and the result, was quite volume."