Miguel Cardoso says fixture congestion will reshape Sundowns-Pirates title race

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso believes the Betway Premiership title race will look very different by December as a congested schedule tests the leading teams.

Sundowns moved level with Orlando Pirates at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Milford FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night. Both teams have collected 13 points from their opening five matches, although champions Pirates currently lead on goal difference.

Grant Kekana helped Sundowns secure the win after being challenged by Siphosethu Ndlabi during the match, keeping the Pretoria club in touch with the league leaders.

The two sides’ identical starts have prompted suggestions that the title may be decided in a close battle between the current top two. They are also due to meet in the MTN8 final on 10 October.

Cardoso, however, expects the standings to change once Sundowns and Pirates begin balancing domestic commitments with their continental campaigns. Both clubs face important CAF Champions League qualifiers in the weeks ahead.

“I think we are going to enter the December period looking completely different to how we look now,” said Cardoso after the win against Milford at Loftus Versfeld.

“Both teams will have a heavy schedule over the next few weeks with Champions League qualifiers. Let’s hope both teams can progress and compete for something significant. Then we’ll see.”

The Portuguese-born coach also believes Kaizer Chiefs will become part of the title picture, although their progress could depend on how they cope with the demands of qualifying for the Confederation Cup.

Chiefs have made a strong start to their league campaign, but Cardoso says the need to select the strongest possible teams in continental competition could test their squad and character.

“The pressure will be huge, knowing that in the Champions League, you must field your best players to win. That will define the teams,” Cardoso said. “But for now, it’s too early to tell – for all three teams. Kaizer Chiefs will be in the mix, for sure. Let’s see; it will be interesting.”

Sundowns’ immediate priority is to maintain their league momentum when they travel to face Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.

The fixture will be the third meeting between the sides in two weeks. Golden Arrows, also known as Abafana Bes’thende, will be seeking revenge after Sundowns eliminated them from the MTN8 semi-final.

That tie ended 3-3 on aggregate, with Sundowns progressing on away goals. Arrows have therefore proved particularly difficult opponents for Cardoso’s side this season.

The Sundowns coach is aware that his players must recover quickly, with Arrows having had more time to rest before Sunday’s match.

“We need to review our previous games, especially the one we played away,” Cardoso said. “There were specific things that happened throughout that match. We need to rest most of the players because they are fatigued. We know arrows are well-rested, so we need freshness. We need to produce a good performance; it will certainly be competitive.”

Sundowns will eventually turn their full attention to defending their continental crown, but Cardoso’s comments indicate that the demands of the CAF Champions League and domestic football could have a major influence on the shape of the Betway Premiership standings before the end of the year.