'We fell asleep," says Miguel Cardoso after Mamelodi Sundowns suffered shock MTN8 defeat to Arrows

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso admitted his team allowed Golden Arrows to disrupt their rhythm, ultimately leading to their shock 1-0 defeat in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg match at Lucas Moripe Stadium. Despite controlling much of the game, Sundowns struggled to convert their possession into clear-cut chances while Junior Dion capitalized on a defensive lapse in the 38th minute.

An extended stoppage following an injury to Arrows' goalkeeper disrupted Sundowns' flow, as their coach explained to SuperSport TV, stating that the substitution took about seven minutes and the team "slept" until halftime. Cardoso was particularly frustrated by the goal conceded, drawing parallels to the one they allowed Kaizer Chiefs in a recent Betway Premiership match, where his team was not properly positioned in defense.

He emphasized the need for Sundowns to learn from these lapses to compete successfully in the season, as they cannot dominate the game and suffer the same problem. The defeat leaves Sundowns with a deficit to overcome in the return leg at Umlazi next weekend. However, Cardosso remains optimistic about their chances, noting that the tie is not yet lost and they still have 90 minutes to change the outcome. The result gives Arrows a valuable home advantage as they prepare to protect their lead.