Sundowns coach Cardoso on the importance of Pirates game in title chase
Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has weighed in on the significance of their upcoming clash against Orlando Pirates in the context of the league title race.
The serial Betway Premiership winners are set to host the trailblazing Soweto giants at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
This one comes at a time when the season is fast entering a phase where physical endurance on the part of the players could prove just as vital as their strength of character.
The two SA football powerhouses plunge into this top-of-the-table clash, separated by six points on the log table. Mamelodi Sundowns sit on 39 points after 14 matches. Second-placed, Pirates have played 13 games and have collected 33 points.
Crucially, both teams are riding high after winning their latest assignments over SuperSport United and Sekhukhune United FC, respectively.
How they will perform on Saturday remains to be seen, but fans are sure to be kept on the edge of their seats.
‘IT’S JUST THREE POINTS’, SAYS SUNDOWNS COACH CARDOSO
Addressing journalists on Thursday, Cardoso downplayed the importance of the sold-out tie against Orlando Pirates, stating that it ‘won’t close or open the championship’ race.
He emphasised that although it is a crucial match, there were still too many games left in the season for the Bucs tie to be considered a title decider.
“What I need is to understand how we need to approach the game. And that is the most important message we need to pass on to our players,” said Cardoso.
“We need to study well the approach we are going to have. It’s just another match of football, and whatever happens, it’s just three points, and whatever happens, won’t close or open the championship. It will keep it open until the end of the season for sure.
“These are two different teams with different qualities, but two teams that want to win for sure, and that’s the most exciting part.
“I believe that the match will have different moments. And I hope it will have good flashes to the world about South African football.”
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