While many view Orlando Pirates’ elimination from the CAF Champions League as opening the opportunity for them to mount even a stronger challenge for the Betway Premiership title, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso doesn’t think it will be the case.On Saturday, Pirates travel to Sundowns for a top-of-the-table clash at 3.30pm.Apart from the domestic league, Pirates are contesting for honours in the Carling Knockout and the Nedbank Cup this season.Tshepang Moremi of Orlando Pirates is tipped to trouble Sundowns tomorrow. /Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images (Daniel Hlongwane) Cardoso said going far in this competition will improve the CAF rankings as they look to return to the Fifa Club World Cup in 2029 in the US, and said Pirates’ elimination will not impact anything in the league title race.“I think it has nothing to impact on us regarding the PSL or the rivalry between these two clubs,” Cardoso said. “But we should understand altogether that in four years, there will be a Club World Cup again and Pirates are competing with Sundowns for the Club World Cup.But we should understand altogether that in four years, there will be a Club World Cup again and Pirates are competing with Sundowns for the Club World Cup.— Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso“Obviously, not playing the group stage the entire season [will affect that]. If we do well, we will score points that will put us in a more comfortable position towards being in the rankings for a spot in that World Cup.” Cardoso believes that Saturday’s game will be different from the MTN8 Semifinal where Pirates beat Sundowns by penalties.“We’ve played Pirates already this season and had two draws and it is a different match we are going to play. I think both teams have developed since then and I think there will be new things on the pitch,” he said.Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns is expected to partner with Bathusi Aubaas on Saturday./Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix (Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix) Sundowns will be without two key players, Teboho Mokoena and Miguel Reisinho, due to suspension. Mokoena was given his fourth yellow in the Carling Knockout match that they lost to Marumo Gallants. Cardoso raised this yellow card before the Pirates match.“It’s also very coincidental that in the last minute of a match, he gets a yellow card and we play Pirates after that. I believe in coincidences.”Cardoso will likely replace Mokoena by Bathusi Aubaas in order to partner Marcelo allende in the middle park.
2025-10-31 04:00:01
Cardoso mocks Bucs ahead of duel
