Cardoso: What will speak for teams in title race

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Cardoso: What will speak for teams in title race

Sep 3, 2026 – 09:15 pm
By Thato Bosoga

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has not discounted Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership title race, as he has discussed what will be the deciding factor this season in their renewed rivalry with Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns caught up with Pirates at the top of the log, although they had to settle for second position by virtue of an inferior goal difference, after clocking the same number of points, 13, after five matches, following their 2-0 win over Milford on Wednesday evening.

Last season, the league title race was decided on the final matchday, as The Buccaneers ended The Brazilians’ eight-year dominance, crowned champions for the first time in 14 years by a one point lead at the top.

With the two sides inseparable after five matches, Cardoso says it’s still too early to gauge who will keep up with the consistency, in discussion with members of the media at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

“We’re going to enter the period of the season until December that will be completely different to the one we had until now, both teams will have to play a lot during the weeks,” Cardoso told reporters.

“We would have to play CAF Champions League matches, qualifying matches, then the group stages, let’s hope both teams can arrive there and play for something more important.

“And then we will see what is going to happen. The capacity to play a lot (of games) and the stress and the pressure, knowing that in the Champions League matches you have to put in the best ones otherwise you don’t win.”

The Portuguese coach also did not rule out Chiefs, who are lying third, five points behind, with a game in hand.

“And then on the other games, probably take out some of the best ones and let’s see if the other ones raise their level. That will speak for the teams, it’s too early but probably high level competition between the three teams, also Chiefs will be there for sure, let’s see, interesting to see,” the 54-year-old coach added.

Pirates were not involved in the CAF Champions League group stages last season while Chiefs could not get out of the Confederation Cup group phase.

Sundowns are the defending champions in the Champions League and have played back-to-back finals.