“I Am Very Afraid”: Cardoso’s Shock Admission As Sundowns’ Title Lead Shrinks
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has admitted to growing concern over the unpredictable nature of the Betway Premiership title race following his side’s recent draw against Kaizer Chiefs and the mounting pressure surrounding their league campaign.
Sundowns remain at the top of the table with 68 points from 29 matches, but the gap at the summit has narrowed significantly.
Orlando Pirates sit second on 65 points and still have two games in hand, while the Brazilians have just one fixture remaining in their campaign.
If Pirates win all their remaining matches and Sundowns also secure maximum points, the two sides could finish level on points, with goal difference potentially deciding the destination of the title.
The pressure has intensified as Sundowns chase a record-extending ninth consecutive league championship, while Pirates aim to end their long wait for the title, having last won the league in the 2011/12 season.
Cardoso reflected on the challenges his squad has faced and the uncertainty surrounding the final stretch of the campaign.
“Look, my worry is mostly about whatever can happen in football games in South Africa because now it is unpredictable,” he said.
“I never knew I would lose players, I never knew players would get injured, and there are a lot of things that can happen that we cannot control, and that makes me very afraid.
“I heard comments from sports commentators across the country and fans saying the match was really poor, but the game was approached that way because we also have the CAF Champions League to compete in.
“We lost players [Keanu Cupido] who are regularly used in our line-up, and I think we are doing miracles managing this team, especially considering where we are now.”
The Portuguese coach also highlighted the demanding schedule facing his squad as the season nears its conclusion.
“It was a second match in less than 72 hours, and this will be a third one. As you might understand, there will be another match played four days later after a sequence of three matches in less than 72 hours,” he added.
“There is obviously a lot of concern on my part, as you might imagine. There is also an attempt to manage the situation, but we cannot give up on winning our matches, so we will continue until the last minute against TS Galaxy in search of points.
“Those points are not only important for the championship, but also to establish this as one of the best league campaigns in Sundowns’ history. It’s important to recognise that, but first let’s get these three points, and then we can speak again.”
Sundowns will conclude their Betway Premiership campaign on Tuesday when they travel to Mpumalanga to face TS Galaxy in what could prove to be a decisive fixture in the title race.
