This is a season that has the Masandawana faithful counting down to the final whistle, hopeful that the Tshwane giants can still salvage success from what has largely felt like a campaign to forget. With frustrations mounting and fingers pointed at management and the coach, questions have swirled around team selections. However, Cardoso has set the record straight and firmly dismissed the allegations.

A legal battle could be looming as the forward accuses the two football bodies of failure to enforce an order by FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Since the world governing body ordered that the former Amakhosi star be paid his dues, that has not happened. Now, the two football administrative bodies find themselves in a difficult position given the new steps taken by the player.

Babina Noko will be paying a visit to the Tshwane outfit, setting up a clash that promises intensity. The last meeting between these sides saw Sundowns claim maximum points with a 2-0 win over a resilient Limpopo side. This time, both teams head into the fixture in need of points, with their eyes firmly set on the league title, currently a tightly contested race among the top four.

Calls for the 21-year-old defender to be included in the National Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continue to grow louder, with some believing he has done enough to earn his place in the squad. The centre-back has steadily built his profile during his three years in the United States, gaining valuable experience in a competitive environment. Crucially, he has tested himself against some of the best attacking talents in the game, such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

The tactician has been under incredible pressure as the Tshwane giants struggle to impose themselves as compared to previous seasons. Already, the Brazilians failed to win the Nedbank Cup, the Carling Knockout, and the MTN8, meaning their ambitions of lifting multiple trophies are not tenable. Masandawana's inconsistency raises more questions about whether they are competitive enough to win the PSL and CAF Champions League.

The 24-year-old has become one of the most talked-about talents at Chloorkop, with the second half of the season highlighting a significant improvement for the Cape Town-born midfielder. Among those impressed is former Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana, who has publicly backed him as the best midfielder in the country.

After seven months on the sidelines since joining the Soweto giants before the start of the 2025/26 season, the attacking midfielder finally made his debut, much to the delight of fans who had eagerly awaited his appearance. Living up to expectations, he has now reflected on this milestone, stressing that his first outing for the Glamour Boys is just the start.

Although the Brazilians are in a neck-to-neck battle for the Premier Soccer League title, their performance has not been convincing. Questions about Downs' ability to compete arise because the Tshwane giants are struggling to score goals and even to win in very convincing ways. While all these happen, it is the coach that has had to deal with immense pressure and criticism.