Miguel Cardoso, Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 match between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium in Polokwane on 18 February 2026 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Thursday Feb 19, 2026. 09:20
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has stated that he has no set starting XI.
The coach’s comments came after Sundowns’ 2-1 win over Orlando Pirates at the FNB Stadium on Wednesday evening, which saw the Buccaneers’ lead at the top of the Betway Premiership cut to three points.
With his side playing in both domestic and continental competition, the Portuguese tactician has emphasised squad rotation on multiple occasions this season, a policy he has stuck to thus far and clearly sees as the way forward.
“We don’t have a first eleven,” said Cardoso, speaking after his side’s victory.
“It’s impossible for players to play consecutively in the level of these games. It was so tough today, so tough. And on the weekend was so tough. And the trips we have and the nights that we don’t sleep because you imagine how much adrenaline a player accumulates in his blood when he plays a match like this. Now to clear all that and to fall asleep is so difficult.”
The policy of rotation comes mainly from the demands of the Brazilians’ schedule. Since returning to action after the AFCON break, Masandawana have played eight games between 19 January and 19 February. The regularity of Sundowns’ games presents a clear need for players to be rested, Cardoso stated.
“Obviously it seems that the player is out when he stays out of two matches and or just comes in or three matches, but sometimes three matches is seven days. Seven days doesn’t change the life of no one. And that’s the belief that we try to install in our locker room.”
The 53-year-old maintained that each player is as important as the next, owing to the quality and depth within the squad.
“There’s starters, finishers and players that in the next one probably will be either starter or finisher in the matches. Imagine how to play on Saturday,” he said.
“There’s no best players or worst players. There’s just a group that has a lot of quality that have to rise to the level when we put them in and show that they are there. We believe in all of them.”
The Brazilians are next in action on Saturday. Their quest to end the wait for a domestic cup title resumes in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 as they face TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium.