Cardoso taunts Pirates ahead of PSL meeting – ‘In four years there will be Club World Cup’

Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns hope to get past Orlando Pirates on Saturday, hoping for nothing but three points.

The meeting this weekend will be the third time the sides are facing each other across all competitions. The initial two were in the MTN8 where they drew 2-2 in aggregate before the Soweto giants advanced after winning in the penalty shootout.

While Masandawana have made the CAF Champions League group stage, the Buccaneers, who made the semi-final in the 2024/25 edition, were eliminated by St Eloi Lupopo.

Some stakeholders feel Bucs' elimination from the CAF inter-club competition will be a blessing in disguise since it will give them a chance to focus on domestic games.

However, coach Miguel Cardoso is not buying that narrative, insisting it will not give the Sea Robbers an upper hand in the race for PSL.

Sundowns are chasing FIFA Club World Cup ticket

“I think it has nothing to impact on us regarding the PSL or the rivalry between these two clubs. But we should understand altogether that in four years, there will be a Club World Cup again, and Pirates are competing with Sundowns for the Club World Cup,” he told the media.

“Obviously, not playing the group stage the entire season [will affect that]. If we do well, we will score points that will put us in a more comfortable position towards being in the rankings for a spot in that World Cup.

“We’ve played Pirates already this season and had two draws, and it is a different match we are going to play. I think both teams have developed since then, and I think there will be new things on the pitch,” Cardoso concluded. 

Teboho Mokoena and Miguel Reisinho will miss the game against the Buccaneers since they are suspended.