Cardoso Claims Sundowns Faced “Different Conditions” to Pirates After Shock TS Galaxy Defeat
Miguel Cardoso has suggested that Mamelodi Sundowns have been placed at a disadvantage in the Betway Premiership title race, claiming fixture arrangements and playing conditions have favoured rivals Orlando Pirates during the closing stages of the season.
The Sundowns head coach voiced his frustration after his side suffered a dramatic 3–2 defeat to TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night – a result that has thrown the title race wide open.
Galaxy delivered one of the shocks of the season with a spirited display against the reigning champions.
Victor Letsoalo opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute after Seluleko Mahlambi was fouled inside the area. The hosts doubled their advantage just 11 minutes later through Sedwyn George, leaving Sundowns stunned early in the contest.
Despite the setback, Sundowns responded strongly before halftime. Brayan León Muñiz reduced the deficit in the 38th minute before converting a penalty three minutes later to level the match at 2–2.
However, Galaxy regained the lead almost immediately after the restart when Mpho Mvelase struck in the 46th minute. The home side then defended resolutely to secure a famous victory – ending a 13-match winless run in the league and handing interim coach Bernard Parker his first win in charge.
Following the defeat, Cardoso raised concerns about what he believes are unequal playing conditions between Sundowns and Pirates during the title run-in.
“In terms of calendar and management of pitches, you saw Pirates playing on pitches where we didn’t play,” Cardoso told reporters after the match.
“When we play Magesi, they take us somewhere in the country where the pitch is small – Seshego Stadium – but Pirates are invited to big venues with nice pitches to play football. So this is the reality we had to face.”
The Portuguese coach also criticised officiating standards and renewed calls for the introduction of VAR in South African football.
Cardoso believes the league urgently needs video assistant referee technology, insisting referees require additional support and education.
“South Africa should bring VAR as quickly as possible and start working on it very quickly,” he said.
“If that effort is not made soon, probably next year the problems will be bigger because VAR is not simple. It needs a lot of education for referees and it is something very important to have.”
Miguel Cardoso believes Mamelodi Sundowns have been placed at a disadvantage in the title race (Image: Mamelodi Sundowns)
The defeat leaves Sundowns on 68 points after completing their 30-game league campaign, having suffered only their second Betway Premiership loss of the season.
The result has handed Pirates a golden opportunity to seize control of the title race. The Buccaneers still have two games in hand and are now just three points away from ending their 14-year wait for the league crown.
A victory for Pirates against Durban City FC at a sold-out Orlando Stadium on Saturday would officially secure the Betway Premiership title.
For TS Galaxy, meanwhile, the win provides a massive boost in their battle to move clear of the relegation zone and caps a memorable night in Mpumalanga.
As Sundowns reflect on a frustrating finish to the campaign, Cardoso’s comments are likely to add even more tension to an already heated title race narrative.