Eric Ramasike has criticised Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso over his repeated complaints about the team's demanding fixture schedule, insisting that the Portuguese tactician should focus on managing his squad rather than expressing frustration about the number of matches they must play.

The former Sundowns figure believes Cardoso was fully aware of the expectations and responsibilities that come with leading one of South Africa's biggest football clubs. According to Ramasike, the coach must find practical solutions to the challenges of a congested schedule instead of continuing to raise concerns about the team's playing commitments.

Speaking to KickOff, Ramasike questioned Cardoso's approach and urged him to make better use of the players available to him, particularly when the team faces several important matches within a short period.

"Cardoso is panicking. He should rotate players where it is necessary. When he signed up for the Sundowns head coach position, he knew exactly what type of team he was joining," Ramasike told KickOff.

His comments highlight the importance of squad rotation as Sundowns attempt to balance domestic competitions with their continental ambitions. With several matches demanding high levels of physical effort, carefully managing players could help reduce fatigue, maintain performance levels and give more members of the squad opportunities to contribute.

Ramasike's criticism comes at a crucial stage of Sundowns' CAF Champions League campaign, with the club facing pressure to secure a place in the group stage. He believes failing to achieve that objective would represent a significant setback for the reigning South African football giants.

However, despite describing the possibility of elimination as "devastating", Ramasike does not expect such an outcome to automatically result in Cardoso losing his position as head coach.

Sundowns are preparing for an important encounter against Angolan side Wiliete SC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00. The match presents Cardoso and his players with another opportunity to demonstrate their quality and move closer to achieving their continental objectives.

As attention turns to the decisive fixture, the debate surrounding Cardoso's management of the squad continues. Ramasike's message is clear: rather than concentrating on the challenges created by the fixture calendar, the Sundowns coach must use the depth of his squad effectively and ensure his team remains competitive across all competitions.

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