Mamelodi Sundowns Stunned by TS Galaxy in Shock PSL Defeat
Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat at the hands of TS Galaxy in their Premier Soccer League encounter on Tuesday evening. The defending champions, who were coming off a dominant 4-1 victory over Orlando Pirates, looked out of sync as they failed to break down a resilient Galaxy side in Nelspruit.
What Happened?
TS Galaxy pulled off a massive upset, with Kamogelo Sebelebele scoring the only goal of the match in the 44th minute. The home side defended resolutely to deny Sundowns any chance of a comeback, sealing all three points in front of their supporters.
The result marked Sundowns’ second league defeat of the season and was unexpected given their strong form leading up to the match.
What Went Wrong for Sundowns?
Despite being heavy favorites, Sundowns failed to replicate the fluid and dominant display they showed against Pirates. Their technical team made several changes to the starting XI, and it appeared to disrupt their rhythm.
Former Sundowns winger Lucas Sebona criticized the team’s performance, highlighting their lack of urgency and poor communication on the field.
“Honestly, they looked disjointed. There was no combination. They tried to revive that with the substitutions they made, but it was too late,” Sebona told SNL24.
“They came to Mbombela relaxed after their recent wins. They thought TS Galaxy would be a walkover.”
The Bigger Picture
This result has injected new life into the PSL title race. Orlando Pirates, who trail Sundowns by nine points, will be encouraged by this unexpected slip-up. Meanwhile, TS Galaxy climbed to fourth place with 25 points from 17 matches, proving they are capable of challenging the league’s elite teams.
What’s Next for Sundowns?
With 42 points from 15 games, Sundowns still hold a comfortable lead at the top, but this defeat serves as a wake-up call. They will now shift their focus to their next fixture on February 16, when they take on Mpheni Home Defenders in a cup match.
Sundowns will be keen to bounce back quickly and ensure that this slip-up does not derail their pursuit of another league title.
