Cardoso hails Milford after Sundowns maintain unbeaten start

Mamelodi Sundowns manager Miguel Cardoso praised newly promoted Milford FC after his side secured a 2-0 victory in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday.

Iqraam Rayners and Antonio van Wyk scored at Loftus Versfeld as Sundowns collected maximum points and preserved their unbeaten start to the season.

The result kept the Brazilians moving strongly at the top end of the early campaign, but Cardoso was keen to ensure Milford received recognition for their performance and recent progress.

The Portuguese coach said Milford’s quality should not have surprised anyone familiar with South African football. He highlighted the club’s promotion to the PSL last season and their run to the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup, during which they defeated established opposition.

“As we expected, only for people who maybe not paying attention on South African football, is surprised about the quality of this team that we played against Milford today. Last year, they not only made promotion to the PSL but also who they beat on their way to the final (semi-finals) of the Nedbank Cup,” Cardoso told SuperSport after the game.

“They beat Sekhukhune, Orlando Pirates, this a team that plays very good football and we should be happy because South Africa understood that it’s possible to play beautiful football and I’m very happy that we won the game.

Milford’s progress last season included victories over Sekhukhune and Orlando Pirates on their way to the latter stages of the Nedbank Cup. Cardoso said those results demonstrated that Wednesday’s opponents were capable of competing with leading South African clubs.

He also admitted Sundowns had to work through a difficult opening period after making a number of changes to their team. The visitors, he said, required time to develop the understanding needed to control the match.

“We knew what team and kind of football we have to play against, when you make so many changes obviously the team has to find some connections that we look for during all the first half and just with the substitutions we settled down.

The introduction of substitutes helped Sundowns find greater stability, while the two goals ultimately secured the outcome. Cardoso credited his players for their commitment but also acknowledged the quality of the contest produced by both teams.

“Obviously, the goals give credit and justify our victory. I think well done to the boys the way they were committed, but brave very good match from both sides finally, finally, finally bravo,” he added.

Sundowns will return to Betway Premiership action on Sunday afternoon, when they face Golden Arrows.