Cardoso Slams Magesi Over ‘Suspicious’ Pirates Match Snub

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso expressed his disappointment with the decision to host Orlando Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, a larger venue, instead of the smaller Seshego Stadium.

Cardoso’s concerns come after his team narrowly beat Magesi FC at the Seshego Stadium outside Polokwane. In contrast, Magesi FC hosted Pirates at the Peter Mokaba Stadium last weekend, following a change from the original venue. The Buccaneers secured a comfortable 3-0 win, closing the gap to Sundowns.

Speaking to the media after his team’s 3-2 loss to TS Galaxy, Cardoso felt that Pirates had been handed a significant advantage in the title race. “As I said, in terms of the calendar, the management of pitches, you saw Pirates playing in pitches where we didn’t play,” he said. “We played Magesi, they took us somewhere in the country, where the pitch is small, Seshego Stadium. But when it’s Pirates, they invite them to a big venue, a nice pitch to play football.”

Cardoso Questions the Decision

Cardoso stated that this disparity in treatment was a reality his team had to face. He did not concede that the title race was over, saying, “If we don’t become champions, it’s because someone else had a good season.”

The Impact on the Title Race

Cardoso added, as per Kickoff, that he believed the “red carpet was opened in front of them,” and it was essential to analyse what happened in recent weeks.

A Bitter Complaint or a Legitimate Concern?

The question remains whether Cardoso’s concerns are justified or merely a bitter reaction to the current situation.