sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach Miguel Cardoso is unfazed by the fact that just one player has scored during his first three games in charge of the club.
Iqraam Rayners has been the sole goal-scorer in this period, netting a decisive winner against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
The ex-Stellenbosch forward also found the back of the net when Sundowns overcame Raja Casablanca in the CAF Champions League during Cardoso’s debut match.
The Bafana Bafana forward repeated this achievement when Sundowns faced his previous team last weekend in the Betway Premiership at Cape Town Stadium.
“No, not really concerned,” Cardoso remarked in Durban.
“I would only worry if we weren’t creating plenty of opportunities like we did in the previous matches. We’re entering the box with many players, generating goal-scoring chances. I hope this will lead to more goals. I believe we will see contributions from a variety of players, without a doubt.
“We have talented players who can score. They will inevitably find their rhythm. While Iqraam needs to maintain his scoring form, we also have others who can step up and score at any time.”
This was Rayners’ seventh consecutive match with a goal, adding to his scoring spree for Bafana Bafana against South Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, during the loss to Magesi in the Carling Knockout Cup final, against Sekhukhune United, and FAR Rabat.
The victory over AmaZulu elevated Sundowns to 27 points, placing them at the top of the Betway Premiership after 10 matches, three points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who dominated Marumo Gallants 8-1 at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
In spite of this success, they achieved the win while down a player after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was sent off for handling the ball outside the penalty area.
Referee Masixole Bambiso had no choice but to issue the red card to the Bafana Bafana captain. Nonetheless, the CAF Inter-Club Player of the Year and CAF Goalkeeper of the Year celebrated the team’s win joyfully at the final whistle.
Following the match in Durban, Sundowns returned to Johannesburg to allow their players and staff to spend Christmas with their loved ones.
The seven-time consecutive league champions are set to return to Durban on 28 December for their next game against Richards Bay at King Zwelithini Stadium.
