Miguel Cardoso Slams Fixture Congestion as Sundowns Chase Historic Double
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has voiced his growing concerns over the relentless fixture congestion threatening to derail the club’s ambitions for both domestic dominance and continental glory.
The Portuguese tactician, who has reinvigorated the Pretoria giants since arriving mid-season, is leading Sundowns on a high-stakes campaign to reclaim the CAF Champions League crown while also targeting an eighth consecutive DStv Premiership title. But as the season enters a critical phase, Cardoso is finding his team’s progress hindered by what he believes is a lack of support from local football authorities.
“We had a match scheduled for Sunday, only for it to be pushed forward to Saturday,” Cardoso told SABC Sport. “Now we play on Wednesday and again on Saturday. This kind of rescheduling does not help a team that is fighting on multiple fronts. But we are going to use this adversity to grow stronger.”
Sundowns recently secured a place in the CAF Champions League final after a dramatic victory over Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly. Their opponent in the final, Pyramids FC of Egypt, is a formidable side, but Cardoso believes the biggest challenge may come from within — managing squad fatigue, injuries, and the demands of a compressed calendar.
Already, the Brazilians have bowed out of three domestic competitions — the MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup, and Nedbank Cup — largely due to the need to prioritize continental fixtures. Still, their league campaign remains intact, with vital upcoming fixtures against Richards Bay and Cape Town City. With Orlando Pirates closing in and holding games in hand, Sundowns have little margin for error.
Cardoso, known for his tactical sharpness and calm demeanour, insists his team will not back down.
“When you feed yourself from victory, you need to keep looking forward — the next game, the next goal,” he said. “We must remain ambitious and collect as many points as possible in the shortest time.”
Since replacing the duo of Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena, Cardoso has managed what many could not: a CAF final appearance for Sundowns, their first since their 2016 title-winning run. His early success has already sparked discussions about a long-term role at the helm of Masandawana.
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Mokwena, with strong links to the soon-to-be-vacant Orlando Pirates managerial role following Jose Riviero’s impending departure.
For now, Cardoso remains focused on the task at hand — navigating the congested fixture list, keeping his squad motivated, and delivering the titles Sundowns fans expect. If he succeeds, this campaign could go down as one of the club’s most remarkable seasons in history.
Next Fixtures for Sundowns:
- Richards Bay (PSL) – Must-win to maintain momentum
- Cape Town City (PSL) – Rescheduled amid tension, now a potential title decider
- Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League Final) – A shot at continental immortality
As the fixtures pile up, one thing is clear: Mamelodi Sundowns’ dreams of a historic double rest on how well they can manage the chaos of their calendar.
