Why I won't watch Soweto derby - Miguel Cardoso
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Cardoso explains why he won't entertain Soweto derby
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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has explained why he won't be tuning in to watch the Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The Soweto heavyweights will lock horns in the first installment of the famed derby in the 2025/26 campaign at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with maximum points and bragging rights on the line.
Pirates head into the match looking to consolidate their title aspirations as they sit second and level on 38 points with log leaders Sundowns, while Chiefs are in fourth place with 30 points.
Though the highly-anticipated fixture is expected to have implications on the heated Betway Premiership title race, Cardoso is prioritising his team's fixture against Sekhukhune United on Sunday.
“Everybody has to play everybody, of course, at the end of the championship we will see the mathematics. Look, as many points are lost from our opponents - the best. For sure the other ones are asking us to also lose points,” said the Downs mentor.
"I think the most important for us is that on Sunday we win [against] Sekhukhune, that is the focus we're going to have. On the day of the match, I will have so many things to do that I will not really be looking at the match.
"We have Chiefs to play but still far on time, so when the time arrives we'll look at them. So, I think the most important is that on Sunday we can state ourselves in that match against Sekhukhune - it's the most important.
Having returned to familiar territory at the summit of the table, the Portuguese tactician has called for consistency and urged the Masandawana faithful to come out in numbers to get the team over the line.
“It's a moment to continue to try to make points and see how it will end in the end because I believe this championship will be a fight probably even until the last stage, let's see. Consistency is important in this moment, of course,” Cardoso added.
"Consistency on the attitude, that's why I ask our fans to support us because we need that energy, we need to score all the points at home for sure, and away because we can have a lot of people also on away matches.
"It's important also that the Sundowns fans and supporters are following us everywhere. But we need consistency inside the four lines, and we need consistency throughout the matches.