Cardoso welcomes MTN8 semi-final war with Pirates despite transfer concerns

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is expecting a fierce test when his side faces arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals of the MTN8, acknowledging the magnitude of the tie while managing a squad currently stretched by absences.

The highly anticipated draw, confirmed after this past weekend’s quarter-finals, pits the defending Betway Premiership champions against the reigning MTN8 holders in a two-legged blockbuster. 

Pirates booked their place with a win over Polokwane City in front of a packed Orlando Stadium on Saturday, while Sundowns crushed Richards Bay at Lucas Moripe Stadium a day later.

Cardoso, now in his second season at Chloorkop, believes the tie will be decided not by pedigree, but by form and fitness on the day.

“There’s still a lot of work to do. The moments of the team are still going to develop throughout the season,” Cardoso said, after the draw.

“Obviously, there’s always an energy outcome from the dispute — especially considering that it will be two matches. The strongest in that moment usually wins over two matches. Let’s see how it will be.”

Despite the emphatic quarter-final result, Sundowns were without several key players, including Lucas Ribeiro Costa, Peter Shalulile and Khuliso Mudau — all of whom are currently sidelined or linked with possible moves away from the club. 

Ribeiro and Shalulile have drawn interest from clubs abroad, while Mudau’s future remains uncertain with contract negotiations still unresolved.

“I’d like to be at the point where I have the whole team when we arrive at that moment,” Cardoso admitted.

“But my position in the team is to think about the next match. We have Stellenbosch FC away, [Kaizer] Chiefs away, and eventually there might be a swap in the calendar.”

With upcoming matches against Magesi FC and AmaZulu FC also on the horizon, Cardoso made it clear that Sundowns are entering a demanding stretch of fixtures — one that will test the club’s depth and resilience early in the campaign.

“There’s a lot of challenges. So, it will be quite hectic for us. But my role here is to trust the people in charge of the club to make the team as strong as possible — and for myself to grow the group as strong as possible.”

Still, the coach is embracing the challenge and expects both teams to raise their levels when the semi-finals arrive.

“I believe we are up to the challenges. They’re big, but we are up for them. I think that us and Pirates are, for sure, in an emotional discomfortable position — but we knew that it could happen. May the best one win.”

Dates and venues for the MTN8 semi-final legs are yet to be confirmed, but the fixture already promises to be one of the early highlights of the 2025/26 season.