Chiefs, Pirates benefited, indicates Cardoso after league hopes fade

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso referenced incidents from a match against Kaizer Chiefs as well as Orlando Pirates' win over Magesi FC, while detailing the challenges his side has faced this season, following a loss to TS Galaxy.

The Brazilians' league title ambitions were dealt a massive blow when they were stunned by Galaxy with a 3-2 defeat at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

As things stand, they can only win the title if Pirates fail to win both of their remaining two matches or win one and lose the other by a significant scoreline.

READ | Downs or Pirates: The last 4 venues where PSL champions were crowned

Speaking to the media post-match, Cardoso indicated that he felt his side had been hard done by some of the decisions, both from a match officiating perspective and a logistical one, when detailing this season's challenges.

"I really wanted us to get the points today because if we had gotten the points, then the team would have achieved the number of points that would have allowed us to have the third-best campaign in the history of the club," said the former Esperance coach.

"Anyway, with the number of points we have today, in the last five years, we have been champions. Let’s see what will happen still, with the matches that will be played by Pirates, because I think we are still at the top of the table."

Cardodo emphasised that in the last five years, the amounts of points they've accumulated in the current season, would have made them champions. He said this displays that they did have a bad season.

"If we don’t become champions, it’s because someone else had a good season."

"But also, I think the red carpet was opened in front of them, so I think it is important, to be fair, to analyse what happened in recent weeks."

In their previous two matches, the Tshwane giants were held to a 1-1 draw by Kaizer Chiefs, finishing with 10 players after Jayden Adams was sent off. They then won 7-4 against Siwelele FC.

"I just want you to remember what happened in the previous match when we played Chiefs: we had a yellow card given to Jayden Adams for a simulation that didn’t happen. It was not a simulation," Cardoso explained.

"It was a tackle, where he jumped to avoid the tackle, and he got a yellow card, and he was taken off in a moment where we were in total control of the match. Then we were given a penalty against us in the last match (Siwelele).

"For example, in the Orlando Pirates match (Magesi), we saw a penalty being given for a simulation. It’s a simulation. It’s not a penalty, it’s a simulation, and the referee not only gave a penalty but also let the player stay on the pitch. So, the judgment throughout the season was very, very, very tough."

READ | Maboe MIA for Chiefs: 'We decided with the medical staff...'

Cardoso also believes his side was handed a tougher set of cards in terms of conditions, highlighting the fact that Magesi played the Soweto giants at the newPeter Mokaba Stadium as opposed to Seshego Stadium.

"As I said, in terms of the calendar, the management of pitches, you saw Pirates playing in pitches where we didn’t play. 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.

"So, this is the reality that we have to face."