Miguel Cardoso unimpressed with PSL pitches ahead of Pirates tie | OneFootball

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Cardoso takes issue with PSL issues

Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/ BackPagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has voiced his dissatisfaction with the quality of pitches in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

The Downs mentor has been vocal about the need to improve the pitches since he touched down in South Africa - a clear message to the league's stakeholders and partners.

Now, Cardoso says he addressed the issue with the PSL CEO as he continues his bid to help develop football in South Africa.

“It's true that our pitch was not in a proper condition at Lucas Moripe. I was the first one to speak about that on the press conferences - before and after the match. I was the first one to defend football and the quality of football and the quality of the condition of the pitches,” he said.

"I spoke already with the CEO of the PSL regarding the height of the grass that is not cut anywhere and there's no rules on that in South Africa. I spoke already about watering and obliging to water the pitches before the matches because that is the way South African football should be developed.

"And those are the things people should worry about than speak about what kind of pitches we are not even able to give. Unfortunately, there was a virus on the pitch at Lucas - fortunately today [Thursday] I saw photos because we have a group we created in order to control the conditions in both pitches where we can play football and the pitch is already in good conditions.

The Portuguese mentor went on to urge the PSL to find solutions to the unplayable pitches in order to allow teams to play quality football.

“It's important to understand that it's not up to me to discuss, I just raise the problems of the situation. It's really important to increase the level of the game played by giving proper conditions. I don't care if it's Lucas that is not in proper conditions or Loftus or the Pitch in Polokwane,” added Cardoso.

"What I care about is that football is always better when it's played in better conditions and that will be evaluated by the PSL to find solutions because it's not up to me to find them.

Sundowns will host Orlando Pirates in a top-of-the-table Betway Premiership clash at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday (15h30).