The 2025/26 Betway Premiership title race has reached a boiling point, but Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso isn’t pointing the finger at his players. Following a shock 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy on Wednesday, Cardoso claimed that a “red carpet” has essentially been rolled out for Orlando Pirates, citing a punishing schedule that he believes has sabotaged Masandawana’s title defense.
The Congestion Crisis
With the Buccaneers now needing just four points to mathematically secure their first league crown in 14 years, Cardoso argued that the disparity in rest and recovery time has been the deciding factor.
“I know people say excuses, but I invite anyone to really look at the calendar that these boys have been involved in in the last 21 days,” Cardoso stated via Sowetan. “We were not beaten by whoever, but by the calendar.”
The Portuguese tactician suggests that while Orlando Pirates have enjoyed a more manageable run-in, Sundowns have been stretched to the breaking point by a relentless cycle of domestic and continental fixtures.
The Math: Pirates on the Verge
Despite Cardoso’s frustrations, the reality on the table favors the Sea Robbers. Sundowns’ loss has left them stagnant at the top, allowing Pirates to control their own destiny with two games remaining.
- Current Standings: Pirates are on 65 points, three behind Sundowns (68), but with two games in hand.
- The Target: A win and a draw (4 points) guarantees the trophy.
- The Goal Difference Safety Net: With a massive +44 goal difference compared to Sundowns’ +37, even a single win (3 points) would effectively secure the title, as it would require a nearly impossible goal-swing for Sundowns to reclaim the lead.
Are the Complaints Valid?
While fixture congestion is a perennial headache for successful teams like Sundowns—who often go deep into CAF competitions—critics argue that squad depth is designed specifically to handle such loads. Pirates fans, meanwhile, would point to their own clinical form, having lost only three league matches all season, each by a solitary goal.
Whether it’s “red carpet” treatment or simply superior momentum, the Buccaneers are now just 90 minutes away from potentially ending a 14-year drought when they face Durban City this Saturday.
