Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning kings of South African football, suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at the hands of TS Galaxy on Tuesday night. Is fatigue a factor in the shock defeat or does Cardoso need to adapt to the demands of the Premier Soccer League?
This loss, only their second of the season, has raised eyebrows and sparked debate about the potential factors contributing to the team’s unexpected slip-up, just days after a dominant performance against title challengers Orlando Pirates.
While The Rockets deserves credit for their resolute performance and tactical discipline, questions linger about whether fatigue played a significant role in Sundowns’ lackluster showing on the night. Furthermore, the Portuguese mentor stated that there was not much left in the tank of his players.
“The market is finished; the players are our players. We have our squad, we’re happy with the players we have,” he said when asked whether he’d do any changes to his squad.
“We have players that are injured that are recovering, players that could not really participate that could be important.
“But we’re happy with the players we have, pretty happy. And again, I emphasise, the players gave their best today.
“It’s not a matter of not being on the limit, they were on the limit, but they couldn’t do more.”
The Brazilians normally fluid and dynamic play was noticeably absent against Galaxy, despite dominating possession. Their passing lacked its usual crispness, and their movement off the ball seemed sluggish. The current league champions appeared to lack the spark and intensity that have become their trademark.
The loss serves as a timely reminder of the challenges posed by the fixture congestion. Balancing domestic and continental commitments requires meticulous squad management and astute rotation. While Sundowns boast a deep and talented squad, even their resources can be stretched thin by a relentless schedule.
This setback also highlights the fine margins that exist in football. Even the best teams are vulnerable to upsets, especially when playing under duress.
Cardoso finished by saying “It was inhuman to play the fourth match in 72 hours.”
Looking ahead, Sundowns will need to learn from this experience and manage their squad more effectively to avoid similar pitfalls as they aim to lift a record eighth successive league title.
Mamelodi Sundowns next five fixtures:
16/02/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Mpheni Home Defenders
19/02/2025: Marumo Gallants vs Mamelodi Sundowns
22/02/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns vs TS Galaxy
01/03/2025: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Kaizer Chiefs
05/03/2025: Golden Arrows vs Mamelodi Sundowns