Cardoso Predicts Tight Betway Premiership Title
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso believes the Betway Premiership title race could go down to the wire due to the growing strength of rival teams.
Sundowns moved three points clear of their nearest challengers, Orlando Pirates, after scoring two late goals to secure a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.
Cardoso’s side now sit on 32 points from 15 matches, while Pirates are on 29 points, although the Soweto giants have two games in hand.
However, as the saying goes, games in hand do not guarantee points, meaning Pirates will still need to win those fixtures to move ahead of Sundowns.
“Getting the victory lifts the morale of the team,” said Cardoso, who celebrated passionately after Sundowns’ second goal.
“This championship, as I said at the beginning, will probably be decided right at the end,” he added. “I don’t mind repeating it. The league is very tough.”
Cardoso attributed the competitiveness of the title race to the reinforcements made by rival clubs, saying they are increasingly determined to challenge Sundowns’ recent dominance.
“It is clear that our opponents, year after year, are building energy and strengthening their squads to fight against the success that Sundowns have been enjoying,” he said.
“We just need to stay committed during the good moments and also during the difficult ones, and make sure we don’t lose focus. We have to travel this journey together so that, at the end, we collect the points that allow us to be where we want to be.”
Sundowns came into the Sekhukhune match on the back of a 2-2 draw against Al Hilal in a CAF Champions League Group C encounter over the weekend. They will now travel to Rwanda to face Hilal again on Friday.
The Brazilians currently top Group C with five points from three matches, level with Hilal. A win at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali would see one of the sides move three points clear, depending on the result between MC Alger and Eloi Lupopo.
“Now it’s time to close the chapter on the league and focus on the Champions League group matches,” Cardoso said.
“We want to progress in the competition, and at the same time we also have a Nedbank Cup [round-of-32 match against Gomora United on 4 February]. This is the challenge of coaching Mamelodi Sundowns and being a Sundowns player.”
Sundowns travel to Rwanda on Wednesday afternoon, with Cardoso expressing confidence in his squad depth despite the demanding schedule.
“The trust we have in these players is growing inside the dressing room,” he said. “We trust those who played, those who came on, and those who will feature through rotation. That trust is decisive.”
After the Hilal encounter, Sundowns will travel to face Lupopo away on 6 February, before concluding their Champions League group stage against MC Alger, coached by former Sundowns mentor Rulani Mokwena, on 13 February in South Africa.
Attention will then turn back to the Betway Premiership, with Sundowns set to face Orlando Pirates in a blockbuster clash at Orlando Amstel Arena on 18 February. By then, Pirates could potentially be top of the log if they win their two games in hand.
There is little room for error at Sundowns, with every match now crucial in a tightly contested season.
