'Orlando Pirates can score a lot of goals!' Miguel Cardoso cautions Mamelodi Sundowns players as coach warns PSL Golden Boot-chasing Lucas Ribeiro & Iqraam Rayners - 'We work as a team and not individuals'

Head coach Miguel Cardoso has warned Mamelodi Sundowns against complacency even after edging Stellenbosch 3-0 to get closer to their eighth straight Premier Soccer League title.

Cardoso cautions that Orlando Pirates can score a lot of goals and threaten their PSL dream.

“But we were very strong in the game with a lot of emotional tension because, obviously, these three points put us in a very, well, in a simpler position than we had before in terms of winning the championship," Cardoso told the media after the match in Pretoria on Saturday.

"Still, we need to make one point: unless Pirates can score a lot of goals, anything can happen in football. We worry about ourselves. We play the next game in the right way, simple.”

The tactician also warned his players that they must stick together as a coherent unit.

Iqraam Rayners and Lucas Ribeiro, both chasing the PSL Golden Boot, scored against Stellies.

For the third goal scored by Rayners, it is Ribeiro, who provided the assist, and Ribeiro wants that unity even though the duo are contesting for the boot.

“What is important is that we saw Iqraam, Tashreeq, Lucas, Arthur, and even Thapelo when he entered; he was at a good level," Cardoso stated.

“It’s important the team produces football, and then the goals will flourish. I don’t worry about players that score or don’t score. I’d be worried if the players inside the pitch don’t work for the team in order for the team to score, and that has been happening.

“Lucas today also made a wonderful pass for Rayners for the goal. This is the spirit we have, the balance we have, and having written on our shirt Ubuntu, it means that we work as a team and not as individuals," he continued.

“So, I’m always happy when we score when they play together, and then we enjoy football; that’s the most important thing.”

Even though Cardoso is cautious of Pirates' remote threat, his side is closer to yet another title.

They need a point to be declared champions, as they lead with a 15-point gap against Bucs, who have three games in hand.

Since losing to Pirates, Sundowns bounced back and have maintained good winning momentum as they have been dominant and threatening. In four league games, they have scored 11 goals and have kept clean sheets in all of them.

Masandawana have two games to wrap up the league campaign. The Tshwane giant will face Chippa United on May 14 before playing Magesi FC on May 17.

Thereafter, Downs will host Pyramids FC for the Champions League's first leg of the two-legged final at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on May 24. The second leg action will be played on June 1 in Egypt.