Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has highlighted the significance of securing maximum points against Orlando Pirates ahead of the heavyweight top-of-the-table clash at Loftus Stadium on Saturday (15:30).

The two South African powerhouses will do battle for crucial three points which will set the tone in the title race for the remainder of the season. Reigning champions Sundowns head into the encounter with 39 points at the summit of the table.

Meanwhile, Jose Riveiro, who is in the final year of his three-year contract signed in June 2022, has his charges in second place with 33 points and a game in hand. 

The Soweto giants will be keen to avoid defeat to remain in contention for the league title.

On the other hand, the Downs mentor is also aware that a defeat for his side could narrow their six-point advantage at the top of the league standings to a three-point gap – which could have repercussions should Pirates win their game in hand as they will level the Tshwane sides’ points.

“Obviously everybody is aware that a positive result for us, with a victory, would give us a big advantage. A draw would keep a points advantage for us, and we hope to make it six depending on the result of the match Pirates will play,” said Cardoso.

“A defeat would put us in an eventual similar number of points, three points ahead of Pirates, obviously the context becomes different. What I believe is that the championship will continue to be tough whatever happens in this match.

“No team will give up and both teams can still achieve results, there’s a second match still to play against Pirates. There are other important matches to play and as I already understand, if we don’t put everything on each match we can lose points everywhere. So, I expect a tough match, but I expect an open championship after that.”

With the match heavily anticipated due to its context and what happened in previous meetings, Cardoso insists the game is like any other normal outing. The 52-year-old says his troops need no extra motivation for the encounter as they are hungry to come out on top on the day.

“Regarding the mental approach to the game, from my part, it’s just one game so there’s no more pressure on this game than the others, for my part and on our players. I also don’t relate with the past and I don’t approach any match thinking about the past,” the former Esperance de Tunis boss added.

“We have already played emotionally tough matches this season, and we managed to play without any extra weight on the players because there’s no need for it. I don’t need to push the responsibility of this match on my players because they know it – it’s clear.

“They already have pressure from the media, relatives, friends, family, and from themselves because they also want to push their best in this game. So, what I need to do is make them leave the right emotions because I believe the right emotions can make you much closer to the right behaviors.”

The Tshwane giants have won three of their last five Betway Premiership matches against the Buccaneers on home soil, with the other two clashes ending as stalemates. Pirates last enjoyed a league victory away at Sundowns in January 2018.