Cardoso calls on Sundowns forwards to rediscover scoring form against Durban City

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso wants Brayan Leon and Iqraam Rayners to rediscover their scoring touch when his side face Durban City at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday night.

Sundowns have made a sluggish start in front of goal by the standards set by their two leading strikers. Leon has scored three goals and provided one assist in 13 appearances this season, while Rayners has four goals and two assists from 10 matches.

The pair produced considerably more last season. Leon scored 15 goals and registered two assists in 26 games, while Rayners found the net 16 times and supplied two assists in 36 appearances.

Their return will be important as Sundowns attempt to remain top of the league and maintain a consistent challenge across all competitions. Cardoso is under pressure to do so after the club suffered a shock exit from the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns have also struggled to convert chances in recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Wiliete in continental competition before edging past Marumo Gallants 1-0 in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup.

Cardoso has backed both forwards to regain their rhythm, beginning with the meeting against Durban City.

“I agree with you, it’s not a lie that our strikers are a little bit off the mark,” Cardoso said. “But I must remind you that in the last league match, when Iqraam played against Richards Bay, he scored twice.

“Iqraam didn’t score against Gallants, but he’s a player that consistently scores. Leon will for sure find the right mindset and stability to play without pressure. A player that plays with pressure doesn’t have to score, but fight a lot.”

Ndlovu given time to develop

Siyanda Ndlovu has made steady progress since joining Sundowns from Golden Arrows and scored the only goal in the win over Marumo Gallants.

Although Cardoso believes the attacker has shown he can create opportunities, the coach says Ndlovu still has areas to improve, particularly in his defensive work.

“Siyanda is a player that can create a lot of possibilities in the match, but there are obviously a lot of things that he needs to improve in his game – defensively he still struggles,” Cardoso said. “But we have to extract the best that he has and help him get better. Inside the pitch, when he misses here and there, the team still needs to cover for him. That’s the spirit.

“He wants to do more, so it’s just a matter of him getting the spirit. So, it’s just those sorts of behaviours. Unfortunately, we’ll only have time to train in one month when we return from Qatar. Most importantly, we’ll have time to teach him things when we come back from Qatar. We’ll teach him individual tactics then.”