Sundowns coach Cardoso’s candid admission amid officiating storm

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has hit out at what he termed “traps” following a controversial 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

The result saw Masandawana surrender two crucial points in the Betway Premiership title race after a late equaliser from the visitors cancelled out a night of officiating drama. The spotlight remains firmly on a disallowed goal by Tashreeq Matthews and a late penalty sequence that left the Portuguese tactician searching for answers.

THE VAR VOID: MATTHEWS’ ‘CLEAR’ GOAL

Before Stellenbosch found their equaliser, Tashreeq Matthews appeared to have handed the Brazilians the lead. However, the assistant referee’s flag cut the celebrations short. Replays suggest Matthews was onside, a fact Cardoso was quick to highlight while carefully navigating the PSL’s strict rules on criticising officials.

“I think there were a lot of traps on our way up until the end,” Cardoso remarked post-match. “I don’t want to speak too much because I want to protect myself, but from the TV, it’s clear that if there was VAR, Tashreeq would not be offside. It’s a minimum margin, but it’s clear.”

Cardoso opted to defer the heavy criticism to the media, adding: “I’ll let those comments be made by people who are responsible and can help—people who can comment, like journalists.”

OFFICIATING INCONSISTENCIES, ACCORDING TO CARDOSO OF SUNDOWNS

The coach also pointed to a confusing sequence involving a penalty and a follow-up goal. While Ronwen Williams managed to save the initial spot-kick, the subsequent phases of play left Cardoso baffled by the officiating logic.

“When Ronwen saved the penalty, the flag was up. But when the goal was scored [by Mabasa], the flag was down. I don’t have explanations for that,” Cardoso stated.

Despite his grievances with the referees, Cardoso was candid about his side’s inability to kill off the game. He noted that Sundowns should have secured the points long before the late-match chaos ensued.

“What I can say is we could have done more. We had moments to score a second goal to take ourselves out of trouble,” he admitted.

The Sundowns coach further highlighted a missed foul on Ndamane during the build-up to the penalty, where a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge went unpunished. “He falls on the ground but was brave enough to go, the ball goes behind us, and unfortunately we were not able to deal with that.”

As the title race intensifies, Cardoso’s men will need to find a way to navigate these “traps” if they are to reclaim their spot at the summit of South African football.