Sundowns coach rejects ‘tactical genius’ label

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Substitute Lebo Mothiba passed the ball for the winning goal to give Mamelodi Sundowns a two-point log lead on Wednesday.

• The two teams will face each other again at Loftus Stadium on Sunday where Sundowns could go five points clear.

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says he is not a tactical genius. He says he is just lucky.

His double substitution helped Sundowns beat Polokwane City 1-0 at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday. The win pushed them to the top of the Betway Premiership.

The game had no goals just after the hour mark. Cardoso decided to make a change. He brought on Lebo Mothiba and Tashreeq Morris to give the team more power in attack.

One minute later, Mothiba passed the ball to Marcelo Allende. Allende scored the winning goal for Sundowns.

Cardoso told SuperSport TV that coaches are sometimes just lucky.

“We had a purpose. It was important at that moment to keep forcing at their centre backs,” he said.

He said the plan worked but it still involved luck.

“Sometimes it works and it looks like the coach is the best in the world. Sometimes it doesn’t work and the coach is the worst in the world,” Cardoso said.

The win gave Sundowns a two-point lead over Orlando Pirates. Pirates play their next game against Stellenbosch on Tuesday.

Sundowns will play against Polokwane City again on Sunday at Loftus Stadium. A win could put them five points clear at the top.

Cardoso said Polokwane City probably moved the Wednesday game to the Seshego Stadium pitch to level the playing field.

“We need to fight with the same spirit,” he said.

He said the team cannot take anything for granted because Polokwane City has already proved they can cause damage away from home.

“We need to be serious, to respect our opponent but most of all ourselves,” Cardoso said.

Pictured above: Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

Image source: File