Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso says it’s still early days to tell how intense the Betway Premiership title race will go with Orlando Pirates this season, however he anticipates it will be tough with Kaizer Chiefs also involved.
The two sides took the race to the wire last season, with Pirates securing the league on the final day of the campaign, piping the Brazilians to the top with a single point difference, denying them their ninth successive title.
They have both started the current term well with both sitting on 13 points after five league matches and Pirates maintaining top spot because of a better goal difference, with Kaizer Chiefs following close in third place with eight points in four outings.
Cardoso, though, expects to see things take shape around December with Pirates and Downs now also needing to qualify for the CAF inter-continental competitions which will provide a different kind of pressure.
“I think that we’re going to enter a period of the season until December that will be completely different from the one we had until now,” said Cardoso.
“Both teams will have to play a lot during the weeks, they will have to play Champions League matches, qualifying then the group stage. Let’s hope both teams can arrive there and play for something more important.
“And then it will be when we’re going to see what is going to happen because the capacity to play a lot under stress, under pressure, knowing that in the Champions League matches you have to put the best ones, otherwise you don’t win.
“And then on the other games probably take out some of the best ones and let’s see if the other one raise for the level. That will speak for the teams.
“It’s too early but probably high-level competition between the three teams, also Chiefs will be there for sure and let’s see. It will be interesting to see.”