Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso says Orlando Pirates’ exit from the CAF Champions League this season will not have an impact on the two sides on the domestic front but rather Sundowns can capitalise on this for qualification of the next FIFA Club World Cup.
Sundowns who came second in the Champions League last season eased into the group stages of Africa’s premium inter-club competition by hammering Nigerian side Remo Stars 7-1 on aggregate in the preliminaries, while Pirates – semi-finalists last term – were eliminated by DR Congo side St Eloi Lupopo in the preliminary stage.
These developments led to some people believing the Buccaneers who have come second to the Brazilians in the league in the last three seasons will now push harder and give the league title a real go.
Speaking ahead of the sides sold-out Betway Premiership clash Cardoso said locally he doesn’t see his opposition’s exit from Africa having a big impact but rather that his side will use this opportunity to do well and get enough points in pursuit of an appearance at the 2029 edition of the Club World Cup.
“Regarding the question of Pirates not being in the group stage of the Champions League I think that has nothing to impact on us regarding the PSL or the rivalry that is between the two clubs,” said Cardoso.
“But we should understand together that in 2029 there is a Club World Cup and Orlando Pirates is competition with Mamelodi Sundowns for a spot in the Club World Cup.
“Obviously not playing the group stage in one season, if we do well, we can score points that will obviously put us in a more comfortable position towards being on the ranking position for a spot on that Club World Cup.
“That’s the most important thing that obviously we can see coming up from there. But we don’t expect that that impacts any kind of negativity on their side regarding this match.
“Of course, it’s completely different competitions, completely different mind-set. Aubrey [Modiba] stated there’s too much on stake, not only in terms of PSL classification, but also with the rivalry that these guys they have between themselves because they are friends.
“We see also how it’s so kind that most of the times when they succeed, even from the other teams they post themselves on social media supporting each other, even being from other club.
“But in the end of the day, they go for national team and they will joke with each other, play with each other, try to push each other, and obviously they want to succeed.
“So there’s so many things besides the Champions League what happened it will not be important when the referee whistles to start the match.”