Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso did not mince words following his side’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Al Hilal, suggesting that a forced tactical change was the direct cause of the late goal conceded by the Brazilians.
Cardoso revealed that the substitution of Asekho Tiwani (often referred to by fans and teammates in relation to his defensive unit, though Cardoso specifically addressed the left-side vulnerability) was a matter of physical necessity rather than tactical preference.
Why Sibiya/Tiwani Didn’t Finish the Game
According to Cardoso, the decision to pull the defender off was a “preventative measure” based on the following:
- Physical Exhaustion: The high-intensity “Shoeshine and Piano” style, combined with the frantic pace set by Al Hilal, left the player completely “spent” by the 75th minute.
- Injury Prevention: Cardoso noted that the player is still adjusting to the “different stage” of elite CAF Champions League football. Pushing him to the 90-minute mark while fatigued would have risked a long-term muscle injury.
- Tactical Gamble: The technical team brought on Fawaaz Basadien to freshen up the left flank, but the substitute struggled to find his rhythm immediately, leading to the error.
“It’s a pity… probably if he had finished the match we could not have conceded from that side because the goal came exactly from the left,” Cardoso admitted. “He was tired… we had to spare him to avoid injuries. We brought Fawaaz and unfortunately we suffered a goal from his positioning mistake.”
