Mamelodi Sundowns Face Intense 15-Day Schedule That Might Shape Their Campaign

In the end, Sundowns claimed a convincing victory, reclaiming the summit of the league standings, two points clear of challengers Orlando Pirates, with eight fixtures remaining for each side.

They head to Durban City on Tuesday for a key encounter, prior to travelling to Tunisia for the opening leg against Esperance in their CAF Champions League semi-final on June 12.

Another road trip follows to Polokwane City for league duties on June 15, before they entertain Esperance in the return semi-final fixture on June 18.

Their standing at the conclusion of this run could well determine their season's trajectory, along with the outlook for Cardoso.

It was not an easy match. As I said before the match, there are no PSL matches that are easy. The question was whether the boys understood the message. That goal before half-time, of course, brought a little insecurity, Cardoso shared with SuperSport.

But the message was well delivered at half-time, how we needed to be committed and try to take the game into our hands, score the fourth goal that would finish the game, and I am happy for them.

The boys, at the end of the day, gave a lot. The starters also made it their mission, so we look forward, and there is another one already on Tuesday.

Cardoso, who once led Esperance, now faces his old club aiming to guide Sundowns to a third straight Champions League final appearance, and a second under his tenure, after last season's unexpected defeat to Pyramids.

For the moment, I do not really think about the Champions League, he noted. I think about the next match in Durban, and after that we will have time to focus on Esperance.

It is just important that we always score more than our opponents. If you do that, you will go in the right direction.

This triumph over Chippa represents Sundowns' ninth successive league success.