Cardoso weighs in on early Pirates and Chiefs competition

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso anticipates an increasingly intense Betway Premiership title race as the season progresses. The South African champions have started strongly, securing 13 points from their first five matches with four wins and one draw. Currently, Sundowns and defending champions Orlando Pirates are tied on points, but Sundowns lead on goal difference.

This could change this weekend if Sundowns avoid defeat against Golden Arrows, which could see them take the top spot. Pirates, meanwhile, are set to play in the CAF Champions League against La Cure Waves in Mauritius, which will take place this weekend.

Cardoso believes that both teams will face a demanding period until December, due to their involvement in CAF Champions League matches and group stages. While Sundowns and Pirates are expected to be the dominant contenders, Cardoso does not rule out Kaizer Chiefs as serious challengers. The struggling Kaizer Chiefs have a promising start under their new coach, Fernando Da Cruz, with two wins and two draws from their opening four league matches.

Cardoso stresses that both Sundowns and Pirates will have to balance domestic and continental football commitments, as they prepare for their respective CAF Confederation Cup campaigns. The Chiefs will join the tournament in October, facing the winner between Red Arrows and FC Rogues in the second preliminary round. Cardoso notes that the intense schedule and pressure will determine the level of competition between the top three teams, but it is still too early to predict the outcome.