The Brazilians cruised to their eighth successive Premiership win last term under Cardoso, in his first season at the club, which also included ending as runners-up in the CAF Champions League.

Sundowns are again competing on multiple fronts this term, including the Betway Premiership, Champions League and Nedbank Cup, but currently find themselves in second place behind leaders Orlando Pirates on the current top-flight standings, at the halfway stage in their season.

And heading into the Christmas and Africa Cup of Nations break, with league action only resuming in January, the experienced Cardoso explained that by focusing only on their next match, they can expect to defend their league crown and make another CAF charge.

Sundowns are currently on 26 points from 13 games in second place, while Orlando Pirates top the standings with 28 points from 13 games.

Cardoso said in the Citizen: “Focus on the next match and the next one, that’s the only way to play when you have several competitions ahead. This is an experienced club, experienced team, experienced players with an experienced coach.

“Life is lived day after day because tomorrow everybody can be dead. We never know what happens so in football it is the same. We prepare for the next match, we focus on the following one. Always understanding who is in the best conditions to start a match.

“That’s what we have done and that’s what we’re going to do now. Besides, we obviously go into the break, international break, national team players going away and then gathering at the beginning of January in order to prepare for the second half of the season.”