Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has criticised his side’s costly mistakes after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the first leg of their MTN8 semi-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
Junior Dion’s 38th-minute strike proved decisive, handing Abafana Bes’thende a narrow advantage heading into the second leg next week. Arrows, who last won the MTN8 in 2009, produced a disciplined performance to frustrate the hosts.
Cardoso admitted Sundowns started the match strongly but believes a key moment early in the game disrupted their momentum. The Portuguese coach pointed to Golden Arrows’ goalkeeper substitution as the turning point, saying it affected his team’s rhythm.
The defeat leaves Sundowns with work to do in the second leg as they look to overturn the one-goal deficit and keep their hopes of reaching the MTN8 final alive.
Cardoso also warned that his players cannot afford further defensive lapses, stressing the need for greater concentration as they prepare for the decisive return fixture.
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