Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lebohang Mokoena says Miguel Cardoso should not have excuses for his team’s unconvincing run of form, given the squad riches at his disposal.
The Brazilians are neck-and-neck with Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership race. It is a departure from recent seasons when they would have already widened the gap at the top of the table, at this stage of the campaign.
They also had to sneak into the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on the last day of the group stage. At some point, Sundowns went on a four-match winless run in the continental competition, before last week’s Nedbank Cup exit.
The inconsistent run placed Cardoso at loggerheads with fans who were baying for his head. They now prepare to host tricky Sekhukhune United in a league game on Sunday.
A LOOK AT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ STRIKEFORCE
Mokoena feels that with a strikeforce that includes the likes of Brayan Leon, Arthur Sales, Iqraam Rayners, Peter Shalulile and Lebo Mothiba, Cardoso should have created a mean attacking machine. But the Brazilians are not convincing upfront and are a shadow of the team that used to be ruthless to opponents.
The 2026 January transfer window arrival of Leon saw the Colombian providing hope of an improved attack, especially after he recently scored braces in two successive games. But a concern has been raised as Miguel froze out Rayners, before he became a bit-part player. The Bafana Bafana striker began the season as a regular starter and was promising to run away with the Betway Premiership Golden Boot.
However, he remains Sundowns’ top scorer in the league with six goals. An attacking combination between Leon, Rayners and Sales is still an imagined setup.
CARDOSO SITTING ON WHAT COULD BE ‘A DEADLY STRIKING PARTNERSHIP’
“I think Leon has put some weight on strikers to wake up. Rayners has not been sharp lately, but Cardoso is trying to bring him in. A fit Rayners can cause problems for other teams,” Mokoena told FARPost.
“So, Cardoso should never complain about strikers. He has Peter there, Sales, and he also has Mothiba. I don’t know why he is crying.
“Even coach Farouk [Khan] mentioned that he would like to see them playing together. Leon, Rayners and Sales, this could be a deadly striking partnership. But it depends on the system being used. I don’t see the coach starting them together at the same time.
“Between those strikers, there are experienced international players, Bafana star in Rayners. They also have Champions League experience.
“Cardoso just needs to sharpen a combination between them. Just look at how Sundowns finish games with so many opportunities. They get 10 good chances and score just one. They should score four or five in one match like they used to do.”
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