Miguel Cardoso tells Mamelodi Sundowns faithful: We are growing
Mamelodi Sundowns, under coach Miguel Cardoso, reclaimed the Betway Premiership top spot with a 4-1 victory over Richards Bay, showcasing their growth and resilience despite a slow start to the season. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Media
Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH
As Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the summit of the Betway Premiership table on Saturday, it was with no small sense of satisfaction for coach Miguel Cardoso.
Much had been made of the slow start Sundowns had made to their new campaign, especially after their shock midweek 1-0 loss to Golden Arrows.
Against Richards Bay though, Sundowns romped to a 4-1 win which seemed more indicative of their quality as seven-time league winners in a row. Sundowns are now on 21 points after 10 games, one point ahead of Sekhukhune United.
Tashreeq Matthews bagged a brace, while Malibongwe Khoza and Iqraam Rayners provided the other scores for the champions.
Sundowns Secure Confident Victory Despite Challenging Pitch Conditions
“Exactly, you can have a bad day but cannot have two. It was a very difficult pitch to play football on, unfortunately, and for a team that wants to play good football, it’s very hard. But the boys knew that it should not relate to that but to the capacity they have, and they started very strong,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.
Sundowns were out to a 2-0 lead after 27 minutes, but Richards Bay pulled a goal back through Gabadinho Mhango on the half-hour mark. Conceding a goal though, didn’t rock Sundowns as they quickly extended their two-goal cushion just before the break with the Rayners strike.
“It was important to start strong, start scoring, get the confidence, and don’t allow hopes because sometimes when you cannot score, you create doubts in yourselves and after that, not the result you have.
“I just want to tell the Masandawana family again to support the team. It’s just a team with a lot of new players that have just arrived, and the team is growing. It’s going to grow. Obviously, sometimes setbacks don’t help, but that’s got a lot to do and a lot to achieve.
“Looking forward with enthusiasm, involving everybody is the only way to shave results, and that’s how Sundowns has built the power and forest that’s been in the last years, and that’s how it’s going to continue to be,” he added.