Cardoso Dismisses Favorites Tag In Chiefs Clash

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has dismissed the notion that they are the favorites to win the much-anticipated Betway Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday (15:30).

The defending champions head into the encounter on the back of a 4-2 win over Sekhukhune United in Polokwane on Wednesday. Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the standings to 15 points as they accumulated 51 points.

With the recent victory, Masandawana have now won four of their last five matches in the league – including a 4-1 thumping of title challengers, second-placed Orlando Pirates. 

During that period, Cardoso’s men scored a staggering 15 goals and conceded six.

Now, with a clash against a well-rested Chiefs side that was last in action on 18 February in a 4-1 defeat to SuperSport United, the Downs mentor has refused to accept the favorites tag, stating that accepting it would allow complacency to creep in.

“If I would take my position and don’t understand it – it’s lack of ambition because in me there’s no lack of ambition ever. But if I were to take the favorites tag in this match, I would be trying to pass onto my players the energy they don’t need,” said Cardoso.

“I don’t accept that, there’s no favorites before the match starts, we should go there and show whatever we have to show and, in the end, that’s when we can say we are favorites, not before, that does not exist.”

Cardoso called for focus and positive mentality, urging his troops to punch above their weight to get a favorable result that won’t halt them as they aim to clinch a record-extending eighth championship.

“So, right attitude from the very beginning because then if you are sleeping [you can lose], I always say 100% fantastic you can win everything, 99% you can lose everything. I don’t allow the players to lose that one % because if I allow it, then it’s a discomfort on my side,” the Portuguese tactician added.

“That’s why sometimes I even get emotionally stable but intentional because I always need to have my players in that moment [of focus]. But we don’t pressurize ourselves, it’s just for them to understand how they need to be regularly and that’s what has been happening.” 

The Brazilians have won their last five meetings against the Soweto giants in the league. Moreover, the last time Amakhosi claimed maximum points away to Sundowns was back in April 2021 in a 2-1 triumph, courtesy of a Mosa Lebusa own goal and a Dumisani Zuma strike.