Sundowns begin title recovery bid against TS Galaxy in Betway Premiership

Mamelodi Sundowns will finally start their Betway Premiership campaign when they face TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday (19:30), with the defending runners-up seeking an immediate response after losing the title to Orlando Pirates last season.

Sundowns’ opening league fixture against Marumo Gallants was postponed, meaning their meeting with TS Galaxy will be their first opportunity to establish momentum in the new campaign. A positive result would provide an important foundation as they attempt to reclaim the championship.

The match also offers Sundowns a chance to avenge one of the most painful results of last season. In May, TS Galaxy beat the Brazilians 3-2 at Mbombela Stadium in the final league match of the campaign, a result that helped confirm Orlando Pirates as Premiership champions.

Sundowns have traditionally held the upper hand in this fixture, winning eight of the 12 league meetings between the sides. However, TS Galaxy have made home advantage count in recent encounters, winning three of their past four home matches against Sundowns in all competitions.

Those victories include the 3-2 league success in May and a 2-0 Nedbank Cup win in February, giving the hosts confidence that they can again trouble the more decorated visitors.

For Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, the main challenge is likely to be managing the physical demands of a quick turnaround. His team played 120 minutes in Saturday’s cup match before beating Polokwane City 3-2 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

“I think we reacted very well to the goal that we suffered. We made a beautiful first half, trying to escape from that man-to-man marking, finding the spaces to penetrate,” Cardoso said after the win.

“I think we had chances to even score more. Obviously, suffering another goal from set pieces brings a lot of energy to the opponent, and then it’s a matter of pursuit. We are still not at our best physically; it’s clear. Our pre-season was tough.”

The demanding fixture schedule could lead Cardoso to rotate his squad as Sundowns seek to begin their delayed league campaign with three points.

TS Galaxy coach Bernard Parker, meanwhile, must resolve a problem in goal. Sipho Maseti was sent off in the team’s match against Siwelele and is therefore suspended for the meeting with Sundowns.

Ira Tape is expected to replace him. TS Galaxy opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Siwelele and will hope to build on that result by producing another strong performance against the Brazilians.

All midweek fixtures will begin at 19:30.

On Tuesday, Chippa face Bay at Dobsonville, Marumo Gallants meet Kruger at Royal Bafokeng, Polokwane play Stellenbosch at Seshego, and TS Galaxy host Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium.

Wednesday’s matches are AmaZulu against Orlando Pirates at Kings Park, Durban versus Arrows at Chatsworth, Chiefs against Sekhukhune at FNB Stadium, and Milford versus Siwelele at Richards Bay.

Stellenbosch play Marumo Gallants at Athlone on Friday.

Saturday’s fixtures include Chiefs against Sundowns at FNB Stadium at 15:00, Sekhukhune versus Polokwane at Seshego at 17:30, Durban against Bay at Chatsworth at 20:00, and Milford versus Kruger at Sugar Ray Xulu at 20:00.

On Sunday, Chippa host Orlando Pirates at Kings Park at 15:00, while TS Galaxy meet Arrows at Solomon Mahlangu at 17:30.