This is a tricky period for Daniel Cardoso at Sekhukhune United. It's a time where he has to be fully focused on his game, but there's no denying the stress that comes with not knowing if his contract will be renewed at the end of the season.
There are five months left before his contract expires at the end of June and the experienced defender is doing his best to focus on his game.
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The 36-year-old joined Sekhukhune in 2022 after leaving Kaizer Chiefs and has established himself as one of their most reliable players. He may be getting older, but he's proven time and again that he can keep up with the demands of the game at the highest level.
With 13 appearances under his belt this season, the former Free State Stars man is clearly a man coach Lehlohonolo Seema puts his faith in, but only time will tell if his contribution is worth a new contract.
"I've been through it before where the last six months come in. You do get stressed a bit, but if you let the stress get to you, it gets into your game and that's when you start dipping and you are worried about the wrong things when the right things are on the field. When the time comes and the time is right, I am sure we will start engaging," Cardoso said to the Siya crew.
"Age is not on my side, obviously. I am 36, turning 37. As you know, once you reach 30 in South Africa people start writing you off, but I think a lot of the players have proved that 30 is just a number. I am 36 now and I am pushing to my limits. I don't see myself stopping in the next two or three years."
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In an ideal world, Cardoso would prefer for clubs to start engaging with players over their contracts earlier. This would give players an opportunity to make plans for the future. At his age, waiting until the end of the season to see if Sekhukhune want to keep it might turn out to be costly.
"I'd prefer engagement earlier so that you can plan ahead. We have families, you know. We are human beings, so for us to secure our future is much better than to wait and ponder on what's going to happen because when June comes and you don't have a contract, you start stressing. As I said before, clubs should help players by letting them know (about their contracts) six months before."
