Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso calls out the PSL for the poor state of football pitches in SA

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed growing frustration regarding the state of football pitches in the PSL, highlighting the detrimental impact on the quality of the game.

Cardoso said that, before Saturday’s blockbuster clash between Sundowns and Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld, he had voiced his dissatisfaction with pitch conditions to the PSL’s CEO.

The Portuguese mentor has consistently highlighted the need for improved playing conditions since arriving in South Africa in October 2024 — a message that resonates with many within the football community. He noted that there are currently no rules in place governing the condition of playing surfaces.

“I have already spoken with the CEO of the PSL regarding the height of the grass when it is uncut. There are no rules on this matter in South Africa. I have also spoken about watering and obliging the pitches to be watered before matches because that is the way the PSL could develop South African football,” said Cardoso.

Cardoso specifically pointed to the condition of the pitch at Lucas Moripe Stadium, one of the venues used by Sundowns.

“It’s true that our pitch was not in a proper condition at Lucas Moripe. I was the first one to speak about that at the press conferences, before and after the match,” he said, expressing his commitment to fostering an environment conducive to skilful football.

Emphasising that addressing these issues should not fall solely on him as head coach, Cardoso remarked:

“It’s important to understand that it’s not up to me to discuss; I just raise the problems of the situation. It’s important to increase the level of the game played by providing proper conditions.”

With the champions’ aspirations in Africa’s elite competition, the CAF Champions League, weighing heavily on his mind, Cardoso continues to advocate for enhanced support from PSL officials.

Following Sundowns’ progression to the Champions League group stages, he has called for a strategic re-evaluation of the domestic fixture calendar to benefit the team’s continental ambitions.

“You saw last season that Sundowns had a lot of Premiership matches in arrears. We played many matches in the middle of the week consistently,” said Cardoso.

He argued that avoiding midweek matches during Champions League weeks would better serve the players’ performance and the team’s potential success. The key, he explains, lies in recognising that every international match reflects on South African football.

“I would remind everybody that when a South African team is playing in the Champions League, it’s not only representing the club but South African football. So everyone must know that,” he emphasised.

Cardoso’s comments reveal a broader challenge faced by PSL teams in competing on the continental stage. North African teams, he notes, have implemented structured fixtures that allow their players to focus exclusively on international competitions — an approach he believes is essential if Sundowns are to reclaim the prestigious title they last held in 2016.

His latest remarks reflect Cardoso’s mission to raise South African football’s standards. As the pressure mounts, the focus is on whether the PSL will heed calls to embrace necessary changes to elevate the game for all teams involved.