Before a tough clash against third-placed Kaizer Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says his side cannot afford to drop points in their push for a ninth straight league title.
With three matches remaining, Sundowns are in pole position to reclaim their league crown, as they are five points clear of their nearest rivals, Orlando Pirates, though they have played one game more.
Pirates are in action on Monday away at Stellenbosch, where they will look to win and reduce the gap to two points. However, a victory against Amakhosi on Wednesday would ensure the Brazilians keep their title destiny in their own hands.
Cardoso said his team will go all out to win the match.
We need to be very strong in the way we approach every match.
— Miguel Cardoso
“I think we need to get all the points we have left. It’s a story that still needs to be written, and we must do it if we want to succeed,” he said. “Then, we won’t depend on others, and we shouldn’t.
“We should just focus on ourselves. We are in a moment where all matches become high-level. This is a big challenge ahead.
“There’s almost a week and a half left, and everything will be finished. We need to be very strong in the way we approach every match like we have been doing consistently.”
With Chiefs having not played since their 2-0 defeat to Siwelele last week, Cardoso is worried that Amakhosi will be fresh while his side have played back-to-back matches.
“It’s quite a big match in South Africa, so we have to go for it and try to make it as best as we can so that we can get points. We need points to progress, so the objective is the same.
“We don’t have a lot of time. We have two days and then we are playing again. As you can imagine, the recovery process for us is the most important.
“They [Chiefs] haven’t played for a long time. What that means is they will come with full energy, but we will also come with full energy, that’s for sure.”
Sundowns beat Polokwane City twice in succession — a 3-0 win at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday and a 1-0 win at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday — and will look to continue that momentum.
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