Mamelodi Sundowns head coach has offered his excuses for his side’s goal drought in recent matches.
Masandawana have hit an unusual patch of scoring form, finding the net just three times in their last six matches across all competitions.
Coach Cardoso attributed this to a challenging sequence of recent fixtures against difficult opponents such as Esperance (twice), Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and most recently Al Ahly, stating it is has been tough to score against them.
With goals vital for The Brazilians in their upcoming CAF Champions League semifinal return tie against Al Ahly, the Portuguese tactician expressed optimism that they will improve this aspect of their game as they chase both the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League titles this season.
CARDOSO SPEAKS ON SUNDOWNS’ GOAL DROUGHT
“It’s important to understand which kind of games you’re playing, the last was twice against Esperance, the one against Sekhukhune we scored in normal time in the 90th minute and not given but okay we scored one, went through,” he said as quoted by iDiski Times.
“We then played Al Ahly, you play a semi-final of Nedbank Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, it’s important to understand who you are playing with or against – also for sure that number will drop of goals scored, it’s normal when you increase the level of opponents.
“But also, you must understand the moment we score four goals, go check how the other team played against us, most of them in back five, some in back six, dropping wingers to follow our full-backs and we struggle to create.
“When we played AmaZulu it was a narrow game and not beautiful because they defend and defend — we play Sekhukhune they do the same, the defended for 90 minutes plus 30, and no disrespect to the teams and intentions, I’m just stating this.
“Then it’s obvious if they close so much you will not score goals coming from the sky, you just need to score more than them, and I believe now until the end of the season, that is what we will face, a lot of narrow teams with high stimulus to not concede against us but I believe we will always score one more than the opponent to get the results we need to get.”
