Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso bemoans lack of firepower after Orlando Pirates draw

Head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, Miguel Cardoso has cited lack of firepower upfront following their stalemate against Orlando Pirates in the South African Premier League clash on Saturday.

The defending champions took the lead through Namibia star Peter Shalulile before the Soweto giants pulled parity as the game ended in a draw at Loftus Versveld.

Speaking after the game, the Portuguese tactician asserted the sold-out game against the Sea Robbers turned out exactly as he had anticipated.

“I predicted the match will be a very difficult match and, in the end, it was tactically well played,” Cardoso told SuperSport TV.

“Obviously, Sundowns with more time with the ball and Orlando Pirates with a patient second half just with long balls which is very difficult to deal with of course.”

“In the pitch, in some moments we didn’t allow the best football, I think that it’s clear also our options at the moment in the front are not helping too much to put more fire.

“We had to hold the substitutions because we knew we couldn’t play more than 20 minutes so I think it’s a fair result of what we saw in the pitch. Two teams very equal, third draw in the season, well the championship is open, let’s fight for it.”

Sundowns remain atop of the Betway Premiership standing with 22 points after 11 matches.