Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has expressed confidence in the high quality of his players, suggesting that many could easily compete for clubs participating in the UEFA Europa League.
Speaking to journalists at the team's Chloorkop headquarters ahead of their Betway Premiership match against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, the Portuguese coach even mentioned that certain of his current Sundowns players could have even fitted into his former club, Celta Vigo in Spain.
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"Yes, most of the players here can play in the Europa League. I believe most of them can play in Europe. They can play for Celta Vigo as you have said. I believe that the quality is high. The good thing is that the ambition is high also. And that takes you to the next level always. So the energy that we are pushing ourselves is high. So it's hard at times because they have to live with that all the time, " Cardoso told journalists.
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The Brazilians coach further highlighted the challenge of sustaining this energy and performance level through the whole campaign.
"And that's the biggest challenge and excitement. But it's the reason I come to work everyday knowing that I work with highly talented players who work hard for it. But at the same time you need to balance things to make players believe that they are good and they are capable of doing it. And you know, teams here compete (at a) very high (level) and football here is interesting," Cardoso stated.
Cardoso spoke to the media as Sundowns are preparing for their highly-anticipated encounter against Chiefs in the Betway Premiership, scheduled for Saturday at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Amakhosi are aiming to finish as high as possible to participate in the CAF Confederation Cup next season, while the Brazilians will want to maintain a significant lead ahead of Orlando Pirates at the top of the PSL table.
