Miguel Cardoso, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns admits that the Betway Premiership title is no longer in their hands after Wednesday's encounter.
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Miguel Cardoso has conceded that Mamelodi Sundowns’ fate in the Betway Premiership title race is slightly out of their hands, but insists they will do everything possible to remain in convention should Orlando Pirates slip up.
Sundowns are currently top of the log and hold a three-point lead over second-placed Pirates. However, Pirates could move to the summit if they beat Magesi in Polokwane on Saturday due to their superior goal difference.
Should Sundowns and Pirates both continue winning their remaining two league matches, Pirates are likely to be crowned champions, ending a 14-year drought and Sundowns’ eight-year reign at the top.
Still, Cardoso believes the title race remains open, especially with football often proving unpredictable during the closing stages of the campaign. That is why Sundowns must ensure they collect maximum points against Siwelele in Atteridgeville on Saturday and TS Galaxy in Mbombela next Tuesday.
“Our obligation is to make full use of the six points that we have in front of us, and then wait and see what the outcome will be,” Cardoso said.
“We are going to need to recover the players because we are going to play again soon. We’ll need to get a result against Siwelele, remembering that Chiefs lost 2–0 against them. That means we need to be at our best.
“It won’t be easy because we’ve also lost players to injuries.”
Sundowns suffered another blow during their 1–1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night after defender Keanu Cupido fractured his collarbone following a collision with Siphesihle Ndlovu. Thapelo Morena also ended the match heavily bruised, while Jayden Adams is suspended for the final two league matches after getting his marching orders.
With Sundowns still preparing for the CAF Champions League final later this month, Cardoso once again raised concerns about fixture congestion and the demands placed on clubs competing in multiple competitions.
“South Africa also needs to think a little bit about how we want teams to arrive at the end of the season because no one else played international competitions besides Sundowns,” Cardoso said.
“Last season, we had Pirates and Stellenbosch in the semi-finals.
“I would like to have Sundowns in the final of the Champions League, and other teams closer to that as well. So why not have a PSL final in a continental competition? It can happen, but for that the league must protect the teams.”
Cardoso believes player welfare becomes even more important at this stage of the season, particularly after several Sundowns players also featured at AFCON earlier this year, while others are expected to be involved in next month’s Fifa World Cup.
The Portuguese coach admitted injuries disrupt rhythm and momentum, but stressed that every club faces similar challenges during demanding campaigns.
Sundowns are expected to finish the season without Cupido and Arthur Sales, while Morena and Monnapule Saleng remain doubts for the remaining fixtures.
“We are currently losing players now, and maybe we are lucky because it could have happened earlier,” Cardoso said.
“Every coach depends on his best players. Imagine a coach being very good, but if he loses his best players, suddenly he becomes an average coach.
“It’s important to arrive at this moment with your best players available and go as far as possible. But we’ll be there – let’s see.”