Mamelodi Sundowns’ celebrations after lifting the MTN8 trophy with a 2-0 victory over four-time consecutive champions Orlando Pirates have been cut short as coach Miguel Cardoso shifts his attention to the Betway Premiership title race.
The Brazilians, who defeated Pirates in Saturday night’s final at the sold-out Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, return to league action against Richards Bay on Tuesday evening, determined to maintain their position at the summit of the standings.
The match will be played at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.
Cardoso has urged his players to remain humble and avoid becoming carried away by their latest silverware, reminding them that the season is far from over.
“It is good to have collected two trophies by October, but there are still so many things to play for,” said the Portuguese coach.
“We should be happy to have won two trophies already, but we must be humble enough to know that there is another match in two days.”
The Sundowns mentor also stressed the importance of maintaining focus and unity as his team prepares for a demanding run of fixtures, including their upcoming CAF Champions League commitments.
“There are a lot of things ahead for us and we need to keep the focus and trust each other,” Cardoso added.
Tuesday’s encounter presents Sundowns with an opportunity to strengthen their grip on the league standings as they continue their pursuit of another Premiership crown.
The Tshwane giants are locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Pirates, with only one point separating the two sides at the top of the table. Sundowns lead the standings with 20 points from eight matches, while the Buccaneers have 19 points from seven games.
Pirates will also be in action on Tuesday night when they host TS Galaxy, meaning both title contenders will be looking to collect maximum points and maintain the pressure on each other.
With Sundowns having ended Pirates’ dominance in the MTN8, Cardoso will now be eager to ensure that the cup triumph translates into continued success in the league.
For the defending league champions, the message is clear: enjoy the trophy, but keep their eyes firmly on the bigger prize.
