Miguel Cardoso Maintains Remarkable Winning Pace as Mamelodi Sundowns Begin Betway Premiership Campaign With Victory

Mamelodi Sundowns have started their Betway Premiership campaign with a dramatic 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy, giving head coach Miguel Cardoso another reason to be satisfied with his remarkable league record. The Brazilians secured all three points at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening after overcoming a determined Galaxy side in a five-goal contest. The result was particularly important because Sundowns entered the new league season later than expected and needed a positive start after missing out on the title last season. Cardoso’s side eventually found the winning goal late in the match to avoid dropping points in their opening fixture. More importantly, the victory allowed Cardoso to continue an extraordinary run of league results since taking charge of Sundowns.

Cardoso has now overseen 52 league matches as Sundowns head coach, recording 39 victories, nine draws and only four defeats. Those figures give the Portuguese coach a 75% winning rate across his league tenure, a remarkable achievement considering the length of the sample. Sundowns have also shown considerable attacking consistency during this period, with the team failing to score in only four league matches since Cardoso took charge. Maintaining such a record over more than 50 league games demonstrates the level of consistency that has become associated with his tenure. The latest victory over Galaxy has therefore added another important result to a statistical record that already compares favourably with some of the club’s most successful previous coaches.

The importance of starting the season with three points was also clear when comparing the result with Sundowns’ opening fixture last season. The Brazilians drew their first league match in the previous campaign, meaning they immediately dropped points before beginning their long domestic schedule. This time, they have avoided that situation by securing a victory, even though the manner of the win was far from comfortable. Sundowns led early, fell behind and then produced a late comeback to take the points. The result gives Cardoso and his players a positive foundation from which they can build as they attempt to reclaim the Betway Premiership title.

Cardoso’s winning rate is especially striking because maintaining a 75% success rate over a short period can be easier than sustaining it across more than 50 league matches. The Sundowns coach has managed to maintain that pace through a significant number of fixtures, winning approximately three out of every four league matches under his leadership. Even previous Sundowns coaches such as Rulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane did not maintain the same winning pace throughout their respective tenures. This does not diminish the achievements of those coaches, who both enjoyed highly successful periods at the club, but it highlights the extraordinary statistical consistency of Cardoso’s league record. His latest victory against TS Galaxy has ensured that the impressive trend continues into another Betway Premiership campaign.

The win also demonstrated that Sundowns still possess the resilience required to compete for major honours. Galaxy managed to expose weaknesses in the Sundowns defence and eventually moved into a 2-1 lead through Victor Letsoalo’s second goal of the night. Rather than allowing the situation to determine the outcome, Sundowns responded strongly during the final stages and scored twice through Sphelele Mkhulise. His equaliser came in the 88th minute before he completed the turnaround in the 93rd minute. The late victory showed that Sundowns can continue fighting for results even when their performance does not produce the comfortable control they have often displayed in domestic competition.

Cardoso has made it clear that his ambitions extend beyond simply winning individual matches. He wants Sundowns to establish themselves as the dominant force in South African football and regain the Betway Premiership title after failing to win the league last season. His comments after the Galaxy match reflected a determination to maintain maximum commitment throughout the campaign. The coach also emphasised that winning matches should not lead to complacency because the team must continue improving its standards. For Sundowns, the objective is not simply to collect points but to develop the consistency and behaviours required to remain competitive throughout the entire season.

The coach also understands that Sundowns cannot afford to regularly drop points if they want to challenge for the championship. The Betway Premiership is a long competition, and small lapses in consistency can have significant consequences when the title race reaches its decisive stages. Cardoso wants his players to maintain their energy even when they are winning because sustained standards can prevent unnecessary pressure later in the campaign. The victory over Galaxy provided an ideal example of both the team’s strengths and the areas that require attention. Sundowns showed the quality to recover from a difficult position, but Cardoso will know that conceding two goals after taking an early lead creates problems that must be addressed.

The coach also described the opening match as a stressful occasion because of Sundowns’ previous experiences at Mbombela Stadium. The team had endured difficult results at the venue in the past, adding another layer of pressure to an already important opening fixture. Starting a new league campaign can create its own tension, particularly for a team expected to challenge for the title. Sundowns ultimately managed to overcome those circumstances and leave the stadium with maximum points. Cardoso can now use the victory as a platform for further development while demanding greater stability from his players.

The next test will arrive quickly when Sundowns travel to FNB Stadium on Saturday. The fixture will provide another opportunity for Cardoso’s side to demonstrate whether the positive start against Galaxy can develop into sustained league momentum. Playing away from home will present different challenges, particularly against an opponent determined to protect its own league ambitions. Sundowns will need to improve their defensive concentration while maintaining the attacking threat that helped them score three goals in their opening match. Another victory would strengthen their early position and further underline the importance of their positive start.

Sundowns’ 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy has therefore provided much more than three points. It has allowed Miguel Cardoso to continue a remarkable league record that now stands at 39 wins from 52 matches, alongside nine draws and only four defeats. The 75% winning rate demonstrates an extraordinary level of consistency and gives Sundowns a strong statistical foundation as they attempt to reclaim the Betway Premiership title. However, Cardoso knows that past results cannot guarantee future success, and his players must maintain their intensity and improve their performances as the season progresses. If Sundowns can combine their impressive winning mentality with greater defensive stability, their opening victory could become the first step towards another sustained title challenge under one of the most statistically successful coaches in the club’s history.