Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has dismissed the notion that the Betway Premiership is a farmers league with weak teams, despite The Brazilians’ ongoing dominance in the South African topflight division.

The Tshwane giants are on course to their record extending eighth consecutive championship as they currently top the log standings with 55 points collected in 21 league outings. Orlando Pirates are in second place having picked up 39 points with four games in hand.

Cardoso has overseen 13 matches in charge of the defending champions and dropped points in only two games – a narrow 1-0 defeat to TS Galaxy and a 1-1 draw with Golden Arrows. During that period, Masandawana scored 30 goals and conceded just eight goals.

However, the Portuguese mentor has downplayed their dominance, stating that they are not resting on their laurels as each and every game brings its own different challenges. The Downs mentor attributes their incredible run to the work being done behind the scenes at Chloorkop.

“We need to prove ourselves every day, every match has a story. The next game we are going to play against Pirates and that will for sure be a different match, whatever the outcome of it will be,” said Cardoso, who was appointed in December 2024.

“So, it’s just respecting the process that leads to a moment where we compete and a high level of energy, concentration and quality in the moment that we play, allows you to cope with the level of the opponents.”

Cardoso went on to pour cold water on claims that Sundowns have no competition in the league, insisting that PSL teams are strong. The 52-year-old tactician says he’s never had it easy in the dugout since his arrival in South Africa.

“So, PSL teams are not weak – they are not weak, believe me. The teams have quality, and they have quality players, it’s been quite challenging in every match, I don’t remember relaxing too much on the bench,” the Portuguese gaffer added.

“Full concentration on helping the players because you can be winning by two goals but if you suffer one goal, the energy that comes from the opponents [is threatening] because they highly grab that energy with their hands to challenge us and go for the game.

“It’s 90-something minutes of full energy, full concentration and full management of the context, then whatever happens we close the door and go for the next one with respect.” 

Sundowns will host AmaZulu at Lucas Moripe Stadium in their next league outing on Tuesday (19:30) as they look to tighten their grip on the top spot. The Tshwane outfit has won four of their last five league meetings with Usuthu, with their last defeat dating back to December 2021.