Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has revealed that Orbit College FC rejected the club’s request to postpone their upcoming Betway Premiership fixture, as the Brazilians continue to juggle domestic duties and the CAF Champions League.
Masandawana are currently chasing a historic ninth successive league title, while simultaneously hunting the elusive Champions League crown after securing their spot in the knockout stages. However, their domestic dominance is under serious threat from a resurgent Orlando Pirates.
The Buccaneers are desperate to end Sundowns’ eight-year stranglehold on the Premiership. This season, an inconsistent run of form from the Tshwane giants has handed Pirates their best chance of clinching the league title since 2012.
As it stands, Sundowns sit second on the table with 41 points from 18 matches—level on points with leaders Pirates, who occupy the top spot courtesy of a superior goal difference.
It has already been a challenging campaign for Cardoso’s men, following disappointing exits from the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, and the Nedbank Cup. With their cup dreams dashed, the Brazilians are now under immense pressure to finish the season on a high by clinching both the league and the Champions League, having narrowly missed out on continental glory in last season’s final against Pyramids FC.
WHAT CARDOSO SAID ABOUT SUNDOWNS’ REJECTED FIXTURE POSTPONEMENT
With a high-stakes CAF Champions League quarter-final against Stade Malien looming on Friday, 13 March 2026, Sundowns’ preparations have been complicated by a Tuesday night league clash against Orbit College just three days prior.
Cardoso confirmed that while the Brazilians attempted to bring the domestic fixture forward to allow for more recovery time, the North West-based outfit stood their ground and rejected the request.
“We tried to push the Orbit College game, which is on Tuesday, and we’re playing Stade Malien on Friday. We asked Orbit to allow us to play the match before Saturday and Sunday, and they don’t agree,” said Cardoso.
“They don’t want to help a team that is a South African representative and the only one in the Champions League to have more chances to perform in that match. I am not complaining. I just state the things, and I hope the players will give the answers that will be good so that we will be up to the challenges.”
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