sportskeeda
Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach Miguel Cardoso emphasized the importance of continuous improvement after his team secured a 2-0 victory over Richards Bay in the Betway Premiership at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
The Sundowns increased their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership, with Arthur Sales finding the net in the first half and Lucas Ribeiro Costa scoring in the second.
Sundowns had opportunities to extend their lead further, especially when Iqraam Rayners managed to evade Salim Magoola, but the angle for his shot was too acute. The African Giants now sit at the top of the Betway Premiership table with 30 points from 11 matches, leading by three points over second-placed Orlando Pirates.
It’s important to note that Sundowns have played two more matches than the Pirates, who are scheduled to face Magesi at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday. A win for the Pirates would narrow the gap to just three points.
“It’s vital for us to seize our opportunities, and clearly, there’s still room for enhancement,” Cardoso remarked on SuperSport TV after the match.
“Nonetheless, I praised the players for their hard work, dedication, attitude, and the bravery to keep playing under tough circumstances.
“Indeed, that’s an excellent point. We strive to be very aggressive as soon as we lose possession, attacking right away. However, in our recent matches within the league, the opposition has not held onto the ball. They often just kick it forward.
“This situation makes it challenging because when we press high, they can easily take advantage of the wings or exploit the space behind our defense, which poses a significant challenge.
“We must also be aware of how tricky this scenario can be and approach it with caution; a naive approach could lead to conceding goals in these situations.
“It was a difficult match to navigate. We always need to remain active and maintain a defensive balance within the squad.
“I believe we achieved that, and we must continue to strengthen our pressing game when we lose the ball at the right moments. This is essential for our development.”
Sundowns remain unbeaten under Cardoso, having secured four consecutive wins in all competitions without conceding a single goal.
This marks the conclusion of Sundowns’ Premiership journey for 2024. The team will now shift their focus to the CAF Champions League, where they are set to face Raja Casablanca in Morocco on January 4, 2025.
“It’s now time to close this chapter of the championship and open the one for the CAF Champions League. We need to recover and assess who will be in the best shape for the upcoming match.”
