Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso reacts to MTN8's semi-final date with Orlando Pirates - 'There’s still a lot of work to do'

Defending MTN8 champions Orlando Pirates made it to the semi-final after a convincing 2-0 win against Polokwane City on Saturday afternoon, before Sekhukhune United joined them thanks to a 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy.

On Sunday, Stellenbosch eliminated AmaZulu owing to their 3-2 victory, as Mamelodi Sundowns whitewashed Richards Bay 4-0.

Pirates will now play Masandawana in the last four, as Stellies and Babina Noko feature in the other fixture.

Arguably, the biggest game will be between the defending champions and Masandawana. Last season, the teams met twice in the Premier Soccer League, and either side managed a win.

Coach Miguel Cardoso knows the massive task awaiting him, but he is hoping all his players will be fit for the assignment.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, the moments of the team are the moments that the teams are still going to develop throughout the season a lot,” the 56-year-old stated.
“Obviously, there’s always an outcome, an energy outcome from the dispute, especially considering that it will be two matches.

“The strongest in that moment usually wins in two matches. Let’s see how it will be. Obviously, I’d like to be at the point where I have [the whole] team when we arrive in that moment.

“But my position in the team is to think about the next match. We have Stellenbosch FC away, [Kaizer] Chiefs away, and eventually there might be a swap in the calendar," Cardoso continued.

“There are a lot of challenges, we have to play Magesi FC, AmaZulu FC. So, it will be quite hectic for us, but my role here is to trust people in charge of the club to make [the team] as strong as possible and myself to grow the group as strong as possible.

“I believe we are up to the challenges. They’re big, but we are up for them. I think that we and Pirates are for sure in an emotionally uncomfortable position, but we knew that it could happen. May the best one win," he concluded.

Having missed winning the competition for the last couple of seasons, it will be important for Masandawana to try and go all the way this time around.

Bucs tactician Abdeslam Ouaddou has also promised to win it for the club, which will be their fourth consecutive triumph.