Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso lashed out at the scheduling of their Nedbank Cup last 16 fixture against Sekhukhune United on Friday.
The Brazilians won 1-0 after extra-time, but they should've been given a rest and allowed to prepare for the CAF Champions League quarter-final showdown with Esperance on Tuesday.
Cardoso called on the authorities to recognise the exploits Masandawana continue to show South African football on the global stage.
READ | Sundowns set up NBK Cup semi-final date with Chiefs
"First of all, we should clearly understand what we're doing here today. This match should not have been played today and it's important that people that are responsible in South Africa for football understand that the clubs defend their country," Cardoso told SuperSport TV.
"At the moment, we are playing football and there's a team that we're going to play Tuesday that's preparing themselves, resting and having the players in proper conditions to play the next game that's the Champions League match.
"We should not be here today and at the same time it's the third time we score legal goals that are not given, we scored a goal in the 90th minute, it's a clear, clear goal and again we are punished by a bad decision. It's important that people that are in charge of football take responsibility.
"I think that Mamelodi Sundowns for many years have been defending South African football very well abroad and in the country, and that should be taken into consideration and respected," he added.
"Regarding the game, I think it's clear we deserved to win from the very beginning so it's a matter of belief. When you believe things can happen, when you tell yourself that it's possible, you raise your hand and just keep pushing forward you can. That's basically what I did to my players, making them believe it was possible.
"Today, it's a victory of belief, a victory of conviction of a group of players that want to succeed in life, in football and it's important people take into consideration when they look at us and about what we're doing."