Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Tactical change explained, Mvala wins Cardoso praise, Matthews whereabouts, & more

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Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Tactical change explained, Mvala wins Cardoso praise, Matthews whereabouts, & more

The latest Mamelodi Sundowns news in the last 24 hours including the tactical change in win over Golden Arrows, Mothobi Mvala lauded for stopping Junior Dion, and more.

Latest Sundowns news as they break

Cardoso explains tactical change that won him a game

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso made a key tactical admission following his side’s hard-fought victory over Golden Arrows to reach the Carling Knockout Cup semifinals.

The Brazilians secured a narrow 1-0 win over Abafana Bes’thende at Loftus Versfeld, courtesy of a second-half header from Iqraam Rayners.

Speaking after the match, Cardoso praised Arrows’ defensive organisation, admitting that his team found it particularly difficult to unlock a disciplined backline in what turned out to be a tense, highly tactical battle. 

Sundowns will now await their semifinal opponents, with the remaining three quarterfinal ties scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

“Of course, not many goals and when there’s not many goals it seems that the game is not as…But it was, it was a very tactical match. It had a lot of intensity, with a lot of difficulties to break that defensive structure of Golden Arrows.,” he said after the game.

Miguel Cardoso
Miguel Cardoso. Image – Mamelodi Sundowns

“We played them, we knew that it was important to have a lot of players outside to shift the game from one side to the other, make them go across to one side to the other and try from there to penetrate.

“I think we could have scored even in the first half and take the lead. But yeah, the team was focused, kept the stability on the behaviours and naturally the things happened, so congratulations for the boys,” Cardoso concluded.

Mvala lauded for stopping Dion

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso praised Mothobi Mvala and his defence for keeping striker Junior Dion quiet during their 1-0 win over Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout.

Dion had scored five goals in five games against Sundowns while playing for Arrows before Tuesday’s encounter, according to Transfermrkt, but the Ivorian was kept quiet by Mvala all night.

Cardoso has revealed they did their homework on the 28-year-old in the build-up to the semi-final.

“Yes, it’s a striker that gives a lot of work, we knew very well, we studied him very well,” Cardoso told SuperSport.

Mothobi Mvala of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mothobi Mvala of Mamelodi Sundowns. Image: Mamelodi Sundowns

“We knew from the matches, it’s the fourth time we played Golden Arrows in the season, it’s the first one we keep them at zero but also it comes from the work the boys did.

“Not only on controlling the space of the back of the defence, but also controlling their movements inside the box so congratulations. I think it was well done.”

Matthews’ absence explained

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso explains the absence of midfielder Tashreeq Mathews during the Carling Knockout Cup match against Golden Arrows in Tshwane on Tuesday.

Why Msibi against Sundowns?

Golden Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi explains the reason behind playing Dumsani Msibi as the number 1 goalkeeper since his return to Abafana Besithende.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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