Mamelodi Sundowns, Miguel Cardoso insists job not done yet
ON THE VERGE Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso remains focused on securing the Betway Premiership title despite a commanding lead over Orlando Pirates, emphasising the importance of maintaining momentum in the final few matches of the campaign. Picture: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
The job of winning an eighth title in a row may be just about over, but that’s not the belief held by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso following his side’s 3-0 Betway Premiership romp over Richards Bay on Wednesday evening.
With the win at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, Sundowns moved to 58 points from 23 games, 12 ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates.
Though Pirates have two games in hand, the gap between the sides seems ominous once more. The gap was nine, but Pirates lost their simultaneous fixture against Sekhukhune United on the night.
While Sundowns face Cape Town City in their next league clash on Saturday evening, Pirates will have their work cut out in the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs earlier in the day.
Cardoso Urges Sundowns to Stay Focused Despite Growing Lead Over Pirates
Though the gap between Sundowns and Pirates is approaching insurmountable, Cardoso said his charges cannot relax just yet.
“Obviously, we depend on ourselves but there are still five games to play and things are not done because our opponents will not give up,” said Cardoso.
“We need to collect points, points and points. Obviously, if we enlarge the advantage, it gives us comfort, but that doesn’t take anything from the way we should [fight]. We still have five tough matches to play and the next one is away in Cape Town against Cape Town City FC. That’s another team fighting and has its own objectives.”
In fact, nothing will change at all in the forthcoming fixtures, explained Cardoso.
“We should respect ourselves, respect the opponents, respect the competition and not sleep on what we’ve done. If you do so, you’ll have problems.