Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso on substituting Fawaaz Basadien against Orbit College: It was not because he was playing badly but....

Miguel Cardoso has clarified why he substituted Mamelodi Sundowns leftback Fawaaz Basadien at half time last night in the 2-0 victory over Orbit College.

Cardoso said the change – Aubrey Modiba going in for Basadien – was not necessitated by a the former Stellenbosch FC left-back’s display in Rustenburg but rather it was a tactical one.

“Even Fawaaz Basadien, whom I took off at halftime, he was playing okay,” Cardoso told journalists. “There were no issues with his performance. It was basically an intention to bring extra aggression to Orbit so that we could try to go for a goal.

“So I am happy at the moment. But we put our foot on the ground so that we can look for the next challenge and focus on it as soon as possible.”

Ahead of their Caf Champions League clash against Stade Malien on Friday night, Cardoso said he was pleased with the overall mood in his camp.

“The team is showing the values we want them to have in the locker room. We understand how to be together. They are committed, and all the players are in a good space for performance, and that gives us confidence,” added Cardoso.