Cardoso addresses concerns over Rayners’ limited game time at Sundowns – ‘We trust him’

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has praised the crucial contribution of substitute Iqraam Rayners, who was instrumental in the team’s 3-1 victory over Sekhukhune United on Sunday afternoon.

The win at Loftus Versfeld keeps Sundowns in second place on the league table, level on points with leaders Orlando Pirates.

After Marcelo Allende opened the scoring with a stunning strike, Sekhukhune United equalised through Bradley Grobler. However, a second-half brace from Rayners secured all three points for the home side.

Cardoso lauds Sundowns’ spirit

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, Cardoso emphasised the need for his players to perform with freedom and passion.

“We’re at a point where you have to be very brave to play football. You can’t play with fear, restraint, or be tied up. You need to play with passion, love, energy, and just enjoy it,” he said.

“In the first half, the players clearly didn’t enjoy the game enough to score. That’s the nature of Sundowns; it comes from the joy and pleasure of the game. So, we had to release their minds and let them express themselves on the field.”

When questioned about Rayners’ game-changing performance, Cardoso highlighted the club’s unwavering belief in the forward.

Rayners has full trust of his coach

“Iqraam went through a difficult spell, and we all know that. But he also knows that we trust him, and trust is shown at the right moment,” the coach explained.

“We stuck together, knowing the right opportunity would come, and he had to be ready for it. I’m so happy for the team and for him, as well as for [Monnapule] Saleng, who came on during a tough period.”

Ryaners has had to deal with spells out of the team in the last two months but did not look rusty when he came on in the second half as Sundowns were chasing a winner.