Miguel Cardoso banks on experience to overcome looming fixture congestion | OneFootball

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Cardoso looks to evade congested fixtures with experience

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackPagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso is banking on the experience of his squad ahead of the fixture congestion in the second round of the season.

The Brazilians had a below par first half of the 2025/26 campaign as they sit second on the Betway Premiership table and two points of log leaders Orlando Pirates, who have played one game less.

Furthermore, Sundowns have already missed out on the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup, which prolonged their quest for a first domestic cup title since the 2021/22 season.

Now, with games set to come thick and fast after the AFCON break, particularly with the resumption of the CAF Champions League, Cardoso is hopeful experience will get his team over the line.

“Next match, next match and next match, that's the only way to play when you have several competitions ahead. This is an experienced club, experienced team, experienced players and experienced coach,” said the Downs mentor.

"Life is lived day after day because tomorrow everybody can be dead, we never know what will happen. So, in football it's the same, we prepare the next match, we focus on the following one always understanding who is in the best conditions to start the match.

"And that's what we did previously and that's what we are going to do now, despite obviously we are in a break, the national break for the national teams - players going away and then gathering in the beginning of January in order to prepare the second half of the season.

Sundowns will return to action with a visit from Orbit College on 20 January 2026, as they look to reclaim the top spot from Pirates.