A spike in red cards at Mamelodi Sundowns has brought question marks regarding the approach and behavioural response of players under head coach Miguel Cardoso.
Sundowns, though top of the standings, could have one of their worst disciplinary record in a season as Tashreeq Matthews was their eighth player red-carded this season, against Mpheni Home Defenders in the Nedbank Cup round of 16.
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This spike has coincided with Cardoso taking charge of the team, as six of those were under his reign, with only two recorded under Manqoba Mngqithi.
The six red cards collected under the former Esperance coach happened in just three months, which will be a concern, considering the side had six red- cards the whole of last term.
Sundowns players appear to be more brash and too physical under Cardoso, as Matthews, according former referee Victor Hlungwani, survived two red cards - initially in a 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy and was also supposed to have been red-carded when he got his first booking against Mpheni.
"Tashreeq Matthews, Sundowns played TS Galaxy, Tashreeq survived a red card, where he stamped on (Marks) Munyai in a challenge we call it serious foul play, brutality and he got a yellow card for that," Hlungwani said on Metro FM's Sports Night Amplified.
"And again, the same Tashreeq Matthews, when Sundowns played Mpheni Home Defenders, he went in again on a serious foul play, where he was supposed to get a straight red card. He got a yellow card for that challenge.
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"Fortunately, it was his second yellow card and he was subsequently sent off. So, Tashreeq Matthews was supposed to be sent off on both occasions for serious foul play because the way he goes in with studs above the ankle, it's serious foul play by its nature under Law 12.
"He survived, but fortunately, the referee gave him a second yellow card and he left the field of play," added the former FIFA referee.
Sundowns red-cards have come from all departments, as two goalkeepers Ronwen Williams and Denis Onyango have also already been sent off this season.
Of even more concern is that two of the red cards were received against lower division teams (Sibanye Golden Stars and Mpheni Home Defenders).