Pirates vs Sundowns: 3 reasons why Miguel Cardoso should be worried

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso will be the man under more scrutiny when his team takes on Orlando Pirates in a highly-awaited PSL clash on Wednesday evening.

Pirates host Sundowns at the FNB Stadium, looking to extend their league lead to nine points as they enjoy a six-point gap over the PSL champions, although they have played one match more.

While Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team have been flawless, going 14 league matches without defeat and drawing just two, Sundowns have not been as impressive and there are key reasons why Cardoso will be the most worried among the two coaches.

Pirates’ impressive home record

Sundowns will have to do something only one other team has achieved this season and that is beating Pirates at home.

Since suffering a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United in their PSL opener on August 9, Pirates have not lost again at home, going 12 matches in all competitions without defeat at their backyard.

That run includes 11 league matches, all of which they have won, with the other draw being a 1-1 against Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final.

Sundowns therefore have their work cut out as the numbers suggest it will be a tough act even if Pirates will not be hosting them at Orlando Stadium but at the FNB Stadium.

Sundowns’ shaky form

Meanwhile, Sundowns may have lost four games across all competitions this season and just one in the league but their performances have been worrying.

Sundowns, known to overrun opponents and subdue them, have not been doing this with most of their wins down to moments of brilliance from their quality players.

In their last 10 games, they have five wins, four draws and a loss and are just from a CAF Champions League group campaign where they needed a win on the final day to seal their place in the quarter-final after two wins, three draws and a loss.

Sundowns have also lost their air of invincibility as they have managed just four clean sheets in their last 10 games, missing something that served them so well last season, and opponents now face them knowing they have a chance.

That is not the kind of form or performances that inspire confidence and while Cardoso has the players, Pirates have the confidence, momentum and quality to take advantage of any lapses.

Cardoso’s poor record against Pirates

Head-to-head records rarely count when it comes to top clashes like this one but can give an opponent the psychological boost.

Here, Cardoso falls short as in his five meetings against Pirates, he has managed just one win. That was a 4-1 victory at home in February 2025 and after that, his team lost 2-1 two months later at Orlando Stadium.

This season, Sundowns have faced Pirates three times, hosting them twice, but all matches have ended 1-1. That includes a two-legged MTN8 semi-final which Pirates won on penalties before going on to lift the trophy.