Mamelodi Sundowns’ new season didn’t get off to the start they’d hoped for, as the reigning Betway Premiership champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Coach Miguel Cardoso didn’t mince words after the match, expressing his disappointment with his team’s performance, particularly their lack of intensity.
Read: KZN Teams Dominate on Opening Day of Betway Premiership
Arthur Sales put Sundowns ahead in the 32nd minute, but Khaya Mfecane leveled the score for the home side in the 65th minute, ensuring the points were shared. Speaking to SuperSport after the final whistle, Cardoso was critical of his side’s approach.
“The outcome is obviously not the best, and I also think we didn’t start the match well,” he said. “When you are playing against these types of teams, you need to have the best attitude on the pitch.”
Cardoso noted that while Sundowns controlled possession and found spaces, they failed to play with the necessary urgency.
“We didn’t put the proper intensity to escape from the duels,” he explained. “We made it a much more physical game rather than the game that we had to play.”
The coach’s frustration was evident, even when his team was ahead. “Even when we were winning at half-time, I was not happy,” he admitted.
According to Cardoso, his team’s inability to maintain their lead in the second half was a direct result of their first-half shortcomings. “We suffered a goal out of nothing, which prompted the energy that Chippa was looking for,” he said.
Sundowns’ title defense now faces an immediate test. They will have to regroup quickly as they prepare to face AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 19:30.
With AmaZulu coming off a hard-fought win on the opening day, this match will be a crucial early indicator of Sundowns’ form under their new coach.