Miguel Cardoso labels Sundowns' Siwelele rout an exciting spectacle

The Brazilians moved six points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership, albeit having played two matches more than reigning champions and nearest rivals Orlando Pirates, who have CAF interclub commitments this week.

Cardoso also applauded his counterpart Godfrey Mosoetsa, who took interim charge following Lehlohonolo Seema’s sacking on Monday.

"It was a very animated game, very dynamic. Obviously when we play under these kind of conditions in terms of the grass and you know that in the past there was here and there some matches where the pitch was not in extraordinary conditions and now we see a fantastic Loftus. Obviously it produces a quick game, produces quality," said Cardoso

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"It was beautiful to see how the teams expressed themselves and how they felt the amusement, the joy to play on a pitch like that. I would also like to give a word to Coach Godfrey. He just picked the team.

It's not easy to play a match like this, to pick and prepare a team for a match like this. I told him I had the opportunity to be with him and tell him bravo because the boys put in a good fight on the pitch also. Despite all those conditions it was clear that by the stats, if you look at the match that my boys did, so also time and opportunity.

I take it in hand to congratulate them. It's not easy to play so many matches in a row and still keep capacity to fight until the last minute."

Sundowns did make a few changes to the side that beat Golden Arrows last weekend but the coach was impressed that their dominance did not change. 

Cardoso then explained the decision to substitute defender Khulumani Ndamane to bring on Mothobi Mvala after long spells on the sidelines.

"First of all, regarding Ndamane, there was no option when it was 0-0; you don't want to miss a player and have to fight for a result with 10 players. Clearly, he had a situation that was on the edge. The second action is a foul, and consecutive fouls can bring a yellow card again , so we are just avoiding that.

"I was happy to have Mothobi back on the pitch after many matches of non-official competitions. He has been playing in friendlies and he was very good in the preparations, as were the others."

The Sundowns mentor also gave an update on newly signed Deano van Rooyen and his fitness stages.

"On Van Rooyen, we obviously think that he can add things to the team; otherwise, he would not come to Sundowns. He is a quality player; his career speaks for him. We need to integrate him as quickly as possible. We trust the players we have, and we will continue to trust them. But we need more options; we don't only need to bring in quality but also numbers so that if there is any case of an injury, we don't remain without options."