Mamelodi Sundowns secured a convincing 4-1 victory over Durban City at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday, reclaiming their top spot on the log table. The win was fueled by a brace from Thabang Matuludi and goals from Iqraam Rayners and Antonio van Wyk. Jean Lwamba Lubamba scored for Durban City. This result marked a significant statement from Masandawana, who are competing at the top of the league.
According to Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, his team's strategy was to exploit Durban City's fatigue. Durban City had been competing in the Caf Confederation Cup and played a Carling Knockout match against Stellenbosch on Wednesday. Cardoso noted that this congested schedule would impact his opponents' performance. He revealed that he used this knowledge to his team's advantage, targeting Durban City's tiredness.
Cardoso explained that his team intentionally tried to exhaust Durban City quickly, aiming to profit from their opponents' mistakes. He acknowledged that this approach led to some errors from his own team but ultimately paid off. The coach praised his team's quality and well-coached nature, highlighting their ability to restrict Durban City's attacks while still creating scoring opportunities.
Despite the convincing win, Cardoso expressed frustration with the match officials, specifically referee Cedric Muvhali. He felt that two penalty claims for his team were incorrectly dismissed. Cardoso chose to refrain from making extensive comments on the issue, instead focusing on his team's performance and what they can control.
The Mamelodi Sundowns coach emphasized the importance of concentrating on their own performance and avoiding problems with referees. He stressed that his team must maintain a positive attitude and focus on playing football. This approach will be crucial as they prepare for their upcoming Carling Knockout quarterfinal match against Golden Arrows.
Mamelodi Sundowns will return to action on Tuesday, hosting Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 7pm. The team will look to build on their momentum from the win over Durban City. With their top spot on the log table reclaimed, Masandawana will aim to maintain their position and make a strong statement in the league.
The win over Durban City marked a significant result for Mamelodi Sundowns, showcasing their strength and strategic approach. As the league continues, Cardoso's team will look to capitalize on their momentum and maintain their top position. The coach's comments on fatigue and refereeing decisions have added another layer to the story, highlighting the challenges and complexities of the league.
Key points
- Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso used Durban City's fatigue as a strategy to secure a 4-1 win at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday.
- The win reclaimed Masandawana's top spot on the log table, with goals from Thabang Matuludi, Iqraam Rayners, and Antonio van Wyk.
- Cardoso expressed frustration with match officials, specifically referee Cedric Muvhali, over what he perceived as glaring refereeing errors during the match.
