Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has stressed the need for his side to make good use of set-piece situations after benefiting from it on Tuesday.
Ten-man Sundowns needed a 90th minute header from in-form Iqraam Rayners to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn AmaZulu to maintain their top spot on the table and hand Cardoso a third straight victory.
The set-piece routine came straight from the training ground when Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau stood behind the ball, the latter making a dummying run, before the former floated the ball into the box with Rayners heading home.
Cardoso keen to profit from set-pieces
It was a rare moment when Sundowns scored from a set-piece this season but their new coach wants them to profit more from such situations after watching part of what they have been working on come to fruition.
“Obviously, we tried to introduce some variations,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.
“I confess to you I did not see the goal because I was looking at the variants at the back but I hope in the future we can profit more from set-pieces and close our goal because it is very important to close our goal.”
Sundowns had been reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was sent off in the 58th minute for a foul outside the box and when they scored late, Cardoso ran over to celebrate with him.
Sundowns coach lauds Ronwen Williams
“Obviously, I think we have a very strong team spirit and I always tell them when one falls, the other one must get up,” added Cardoso.
“So, Ronwen is a very important player for us not only by the man he is but also by the quality of goalkeeper he is.
“I don’t have an idea of the action [which led to the red card], whatever it is, it is not important, the important thing is that the others stood for him and I wanted him to feel the energy not only on my behalf but from the group.”
Sundowns face another struggling side in Richards Bay on Saturday in what will be their final match of 2024 and they will hope to end the year top of the table after watching Orlando Pirates hammer Marumo Gallants 8-1 on Tuesday.
