Miguel Cardoso on dealing with Lupopo's 'dark arts' | OneFootball

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Cardoso on Lupopo antics

Photo: Gallo Images

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has addressed the anticipated dark arts from FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo ahead of their group stage opener at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.

The DR Congo outfit made headlines for their antics against Orlando Pirates in the second qualification round and will be without Dieumerci Mukoko Amale as he has been slapped with a two-game suspension for his gamesmanship.

With the clash looming, Cardoso urged his troops to stay level-headed, and leave negative emotions in the locker room to avoid bringing the game into disrepute.

“We try always, and I try in a big effort, to make players understand that any emotion that is not proper to play a football match, should be left in the locker room and whatever happens inside the pitch should always be managed emotionally in the right way from the players,” he said.

"You remember last year when we played at home against Esperance that there was a clash between the players and how I was so aggressive on taking them out on that mix of players, the confusion, the noise.

"I always want the players to keep their minds and focus on their behaviors and some emotions that are negative. Even myself, that's why sometimes when things happen that have nothing to do with the game, I don't become happy because it can touch my emotions because I'm also a human being.

While he cautioned his players against adopting Lupopo's theatrics, the Downs mentor stressed the importance of his technical team also keeping cool heads on the touchline.

“We need to know where we are, what was the plan, what's happening in the pitch, should we correct something, how we can help, at halftime what are we going to tell [the players], what images we can show, should we change the plan,” Cardoso added.

"We have got players who can come inside and give something more and if our minds doesn't stay focused on this - unfortunately we will not make the good decisions. This is how I see a coach, I don't usually relate with those things.

"I am probably the last one to always enter the pitch, not always the first to go out, but I escape from negative emotions as much as I can so that I can focus myself on what is my job and I think that's what the players have to do.