Sundowns Coach Ahead of Champions League Final: 'FAR Rabat Has More Rest Days, No Team Played 7 Games in 21 Days'

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso attributed his team's recent decline in results in the South African league to the immense pressure of a congested fixture schedule. This statement followed their 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy, a result that brought Orlando Pirates closer to clinching the league title.

Pirates are now just one win away from being crowned champions, after Sundowns, who had won the league for the past eight seasons, effectively lost control of the top spot, despite finishing their season matches with 68 points.

Following today's defeat, Cardoso stated in media remarks: "I don't think any other team has played seven matches in 21 days... We were defeated by the schedule, and we need to recover as quickly as possible."

The Sundowns coach added that the team must quickly shift focus to the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR, noting that the Moroccan representative will be in a better physical condition regarding rest. He said: "We will play the final in just four days, while AS FAR are benefiting from their third day of rest."

Sundowns are preparing to host AS FAR this Sunday (15:00 GMT+1) in the first leg of the Champions League final at Loftus Stadium. The South African team enters this match under pressure from their domestic results and the challenges of fatigue, contrasting with AS FAR's high morale.