Ernst Middendorp suggests Betway Premiership scheduling gave Orlando Pirates the edge

The discussion intensified after Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso admitted that "the calendar beat us" following their 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy in their final Betway Premiership match — a result that opened the door for Pirates to potentially clinch the title with a game to spare.

Cardoso has repeatedly pointed to a punishing schedule, with Sundowns forced to play seven league matches in just 21 days. 

In contrast, Pirates featured in only three fixtures during the same period, raising concerns within the Sundowns camp and among supporters.

Middendorp believes those differences are far from trivial.

"The PSL calendar can (unintentionally) create competitive advantages for one team over another. The calendar should challenge everyone equally!" he wrote on his LinkedIn account as reported by Soccer Laduma.

"Longer recovery windows, fewer travel demands, better sequencing between league and cup or international fixtures, less fixture congestion or preparation time before key matches can significantly influence performance outcomes."

The German tactician stressed that such factors directly impact performance levels.

"At a professional level, these are not small details; they affect freshness, injury risk, tactical preparation, training quality and ultimately points."

Questions have also been raised over scheduling fairness, particularly why Sundowns were not aligned to play their final fixtures simultaneously with other title contenders.

Middendorp echoed those concerns, shifting the focus to structural consistency within the league.

"The challenge is not whether this happens, it clearly can. The real question is whether scheduling processes consistently protect competitive balance across the league. 

"In elite football, the calendar is never neutral if the recovery, travel and preparation equation is unequal!," he concluded.

While Downs have already concluded their league campaign currently sitting at the top of the log with 68 points, the Buccaneers, who are on 65 points - have two games left to play starting with a clash against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday and they will play their final fixture against Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium on 23 May.