Mamelodi Sundowns News Today: Cardoso’s challenge to Pirates, Ntsabeleng’s rise explained & more

Here is the latest news about Mamelodi Sundowns, including coach Miguel Cardoso’s take on a tight title race and why it has taken long for Katlego Ntsabeleng to start shining.

Follows Mamelodi Sundowns live news here:

Cardoso throws down title gauntlet to Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has responded to Orlando Pirates’ big win by saying only three points matter at this point.

Sundowns beat Durban City 1-0 as Pirates thrashed Golden Arrows 5-0 on Tuesday with the Brazilians on 56 points, two more than the Buccaneers, but for Cardoso, winning is all that matters in the next seven games.

“We need to play for points in this period of the season, and that is what the boys did, so I’m happy for it,” he said after a 10^th straight league win as quoted by KickOff. “The sequel is that we have to win games and win games. There is not a big margin for mistakes, so that is what we have to do for sure.”

Katlego Ntsabeleng: Why has it taken so long?

Meanwhile, Cardoso has explained why midfielder Katlego “Tsiki” Ntsabeleng has taken a long time before beginning to show his qualities.

The youngster netted his first league goal as Sundowns beat Durban City 1-0 on Tuesday but had also contributed a beautiful assist to Iqraam Rayners in Friday’s 4-1 win over Chippa United.

The midfielder is on loan from FC Dallas but had struggled to break into the team and his coach has now explained why it took so long.

“No, Tsiki, we knew he is a player with quality. He had to adapt to our way of playing. And also, he had to wait for the opportunity. And in the absence of other players, of course, he got the chance. He did well,” Cardoso said as per Soccer Laduma.

Is PSL playing Sundowns dirty?

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has never shied away from hitting out at fixture planners for making it hard for his team to compete in continental competitions but that has always fallen on deaf ears.

Sundowns have a tough CAF Champions League match, the semi-final first leg, at the weekend but they have still played in midweek, having also been on the pitch on Friday.

While they have been busy, none of the other teams in the Champions League semi-final or even the Confederation Cup last four have midweek fixtures, begging the question, is the PSL playing Sundowns dirty?

As South Africa’s sole representatives in continental competitions, the league should be providing a conducive environment for them to succeed but that does not look to be the case.