Miguel Cardoso not taking anything lightly as Pirates challenge looms

Mamelodi Sundowns Miguel Cardoso says he has his focus fully on Orlando Pirates following their convincing win against AmaZulu on Tuesday.

Sundowns regained their 18-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership log with a 2-0 win against Usuthu at the Lucas Moripe Stadium as the Bucaneers were held to a 0-0 draw away against Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night.

Both sides are set to meet in what could potentially be a title decider at the FNB Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off).

The Potugese mentor has been steadily steering the Sundowns ship since taking over from Manqoba Mnqithi to what looks like a likely eighth consecutive league title.

And through a few storms and persistent winds, his team has conquered all the challengers and their pathway to the promised land could be cleared by the end of this weekend.

However, despite the advantage his team carries ahead of the weekend’s fixture, the 52-year-old does not want to leave anything to doubt, as he still believes a lot can happen in the last few games.

“I do not take anything in life for granted.” Cardoso said following the win against AmaZulu.

“I have a lot of respect for myself and for football. This championship will be tough because no one will give up from any side.

“The advantage we have, we need to keep it for as long as possible, and we need to prepare as best as we can. Any team can take points from any team if you do not respect the championship and the game itself by giving your best.”

The Champions League is set to make a return at the beginning of April, and squad depth has played an important factor in the Brazilians being able to maintain their impressive run of form.

With a tough fixture against the Sea Robbers coming up this weekend, Cardoso will be pleased to have his frontmen, Arthur Sales and Peter Shalulile, firing ahead of the showdown.

“Arthur has been positive and impactful over the last few games. He is a player that we know when he enters; he changes the energy of the game and we are profiting from it as much as possible.

“We want such players on our bench and we know on Sales we have that weapon and option we can use at any moment. I can confess that in our postponed Nedbank Cup match, he was supposed to be in the first eleven.

“He can play multiple positions; the versatility that he has in terms of characteristics; he is a player with a lot of dynamics that can bring a lot of confusion to the opponents; he is also quite skilled on finishing and we believe in him.

Shalulile inched two goals closer to equaling Siyabonga Nomvethe’s longstanding 129-goal tally in the Premier Soccer League.

“Peter is doing what he has been doing all his life, which is scoring goals. We didn’t think of taking him out in this match and in the right moment he scored the goal. Cardoso continued.

“He is a fighter and wants to give everything every time; he is capable of scoring a goal at any minute, but the most important thing for everyone is to focus on the next match, which is the most important.”