Sundowns vs Gallants: Unbeaten Champions Face Defensive Concerns

Mamelodi Sundowns head into their clash with Marumo Gallants as unbeaten African champions, but there’s a snag in the script: they’ve started to leak goals, and Gallants know how to make life awkward for them.

Sundowns: Goals Flowing, Defence Questioned

Sundowns are yet to taste defeat this season, but the sheen isn’t flawless. Five goals conceded in their last three competitive games has given opponents a flicker of hope where there usually is none.

Miguel Cardoso still has a squad stacked with firepower. Cassius Mailula, in particular, has turned impact substitute into an art form, coming off the bench to score vital goals in their last two outings. He’s now pushing hard for a first start of the campaign.

New signing Siyanda Ndlovu is on the same path. After shaking off a minor niggle, he came off the bench against Kaizer Chiefs and did enough to put himself in contention for a place in the XI.

There are problems too. Teboho Mokoena has been nursing an injury since the MTN8 quarter-final win over Polokwane City and missed the Chiefs match. His availability hangs over Cardoso’s midfield plans. Keanu Cupido and Arthur Sales have yet to be named in a matchday squad this season, with no clear return dates. Monnapule Saleng remains frozen out over disciplinary issues, a potentially explosive wide option left on ice.

If Cardoso goes with continuity and form, Sundowns could line up as:

Williams; Mudau, Johannes, Kekana, Basadien; Mokoena, Allende, Van Wyk; Ndlovu, Mkhulise; Mailula.

Cardoso, though, is wary of what awaits.

“First of all, Marumo had and has players that are very interesting,” he said. “Second, it's true, the coach in the past made life difficult for Sundowns.”

He hasn’t forgotten.

Gallants: New Coach, Old Fears

Life under new head coach Phuti Mohafe has started in a familiar, worrying rhythm. The relegation battle that stalked them last season already looms again. Two games, one point, and that solitary draw came against newly promoted Kruger United.

They did at least find the net last time out. Thapelo Dhludhlu’s late consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Stellenbosch finally got them off the mark in front of goal. Small step, but a step.

Mohafe’s side is still searching for its first league win, and the form guide is unforgiving: L D D D D. Yet Gallants can draw strength from the last time they really went toe-to-toe with Sundowns: a Carling Knockout Cup epic last season, where they held The Brazilians to a 0-0 draw and then edged it on penalties after extra time.

They’re realistic. A draw against the African champions would be welcomed. A win would jolt their season to life.

Gallants are likely to turn to a familiar core:

Mlambo; Ntiya-Ntiya, Sikakane, Rikhotso, Lukhele; Luthuli, Kunene, Mabuza; Dhludhlu, Ndlondlo, Sihlali.

History Favors Sundowns, But Cracks Are There

On paper, this fixture is one-way traffic. Sundowns have never lost to Gallants in league football: 10 wins, five draws. The most recent league meeting, on 17 March 2026, ended 3-1 to Sundowns in the PSL.

But that cup tie on 5 October 2025 still lingers. A 0-0 stalemate, Sundowns (6) 0-0 (7) Gallants after penalties in the Carling Knockout Cup. Gallants walked away with the shock result, proof that they can drag this giant into deep water if the game turns scrappy and tense.

Sundowns arrive with form that reads D W W D L, still sturdy, still imposing, but not invincible. Gallants come in winless, yet with that cup memory as a reminder that the gap can close over 90 minutes – or 120.

Cardoso trusts his quality. Mohafe clings to fight, structure and that stubborn streak Gallants showed in the past.

Sundowns usually find a way. The question now is whether Gallants can turn “usually” into “not this time” and change the direction of their season in a single night.