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Miguel Cardoso and Flemming Berg, Mamelodi SundownsBackpage
Seth Willis

Miguel Cardoso 'surprised' with Orlando Pirates loss & demands respect! - 'We should not sleep on what Mamelodi Sundowns did'

The Portuguese custodian has warned Masandawana against complacency despite opening a huge gap on top of table with a couple of games to go.

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  • Sundowns won against Richards Bay
  • Pirates lost to Sekhukhune United
  • Cardoso reacts to recent results
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  • Iqram Rayners, Mamelodi Sundowns, April 2025Backpage

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Mamelodi Sundowns took a huge step towards their eighth consecutive Premier Soccer League crown with a 3-0 win over Richards Bay on Wednesday night.

    Closest challengers, Orlando Pirates, suffered a shock 1-0 loss against Sekhukhune United at the Orlando Stadium.

    The defending champions are now 12 points ahead of the Soweto giants, who have two games in hand.

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  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns Backpage

    'I'M SURPRISED BUT PIRATES WILL NOT GIVE UP'

    Sundowns' Miguel Cardoso was surprised that Pirates had fallen against Sekhukhune United, but explained why his team should continue grinding out results.

    “I’m really surprised, you can understand from the voice, because I didn’t know [about the defeat]," he responded in his post-match interview.

    "Obviously, [the PSL destiny] will depend on ourselves. There are still five games to play, and things are not done.

    For sure, our opponents will not give up, and we need to make points and points. We should respect ourselves and the opponent 

    “When we can enlarge the advantage, it gives us more comfort. But it doesn’t take anything from the way we should do it. We have five tough matches to play."

  • Themba Zwane & Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Mamelodi Sundowns, April 2025Backpagepix

    'WE SHOULD RESPECT OURSELVES AND NOT SLEEP'

    The former Esperance coach has underlined the importance of treating the remaining opponents with the seriousness they deserve.

    “The next one is already away in Cape Town, with Cape Town City, there is a team that is fighting and has its own objectives.

    “We should respect ourselves, we should respect the opponent, respect the opposition; not sleep on what we did. When you sleep on what you did, you have problems," he added.

    “We played one more game today, five more games to go. If we get an extra advantage, fantastic, but it's something we should manage. It’s to keep on going, we need to win our matches."

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  • 'I WILL NOT GIVE SUNDOWNS PLAYERS REST'

    The tactician has further challenged the players not to relax with a few games remaining to conclude the journey.

    “I will not give rest to my players. They need to push themselves," added Cardoso.

    "This championship is tough, there is still a lot to go. Let’s see everything that is going to happen, but we have in the next six weeks, the five remaining games.

    “We know it will be tough, but we are motivated, we are happy. We are aware of the responsibility we carry, and the level of our opponents, and we respect them. To respect them, we need to do our job, be strong, keep training, keep working and until the end.

    “Only with that attitude can we win the championship. A lot to go.”

  • Miguel Cardoso, Jayden Adams, Lucas Ribeiro and Marcelo Allende, Mamelodi Sundowns Backpage

    WHAT NEXT?

    Sundowns have the PSL title and the Caf Champions League to think about in the next couple of weeks.

    It will be vital for Cardoso and his technical team to ensure their players are not fatigued ahead of the expanded 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in June.

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