Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has described their 4-1 drubbing of title contenders Orlando Pirates as a hell of a game after the win at Loftus Stadium on Saturday that saw them pull nine points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership table.

Masandawana outclassed their closest challengers thanks to a Lucas Ribeiro Costa brace, Grant Kekana opener, and a trademark Teboho Mokoena strike from distance. The Tshwane giants have now accumulated 42 points after claiming the Bucs’ scalp.

Despite claiming a comfortable victory over the Soweto giants, the Downs mentor says securing maximum points was not a walk in the park, stating that it was a hell of a game. The Brazilians are on course for an eighth consecutive league title.

“I think it was a game played by quality players from both teams, we had a hell of a game, very well played, wonderful to see with a lot of tactical immense from both coaches. We had a lot of changes in the plans strategically wise the way we faced the opening of the game,” said Cardoso.

“But also, the way we gave answers to what was happening on the pitch, we tried to ensure players can express themselves, then individually can occur.” 

The 52-year-old tactician went on to clarify Marcelo Allende’s withdrawal, with the South American grabbing an assist to Kekana’s goal. Cardoso believes there’s more to come from the Chilean player and other players not involved in the top-of-the-table clash in the capital city.

“Marcelo is a team player, 100% a team player, but we have more. I’m so happy to have Marcelo like we have more in the group. Until now many players had to express themselves, some of them are injured,” he added.

“Some of them were on the bench, some of them were out and played in the DStv Diski team, so on the next one [match] we can have players that can express themselves individually. But there are no good teams without good players,” he added.

“Good players give light to the collective work, but also under the idea that when the team plays, they can express themselves better.

“Allende had a wonderful game, we tried had to take him out so that he could not receive a second yellow card, but also due to the strategical approach we did try to understand what was happening – so very good individual performances.” 

He continued: “Very good individual performances, but I think all the players performed on a very high level. They played their game on a high level, they played their game individually under the idea that we had for the match, and that brings the team up, supported by the quality of individual players we have of course.” 

The reigning South African champions will visit in-form TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday in their next league outing. Sundowns won three of their last five league meeting against the Rockets, with the other ones ending as a stalemate and a defeat in August 2022.