Richards Bay draw leaves Mamelodi Sundowns with unwanted two-year first

Sundowns maintain their strong position in the title chase, sitting just one point behind top team Orlando Pirates, while also having an extra match to play.

That said, the 1-1 stalemate against Stellenbosch FC last Wednesday, where they held the lead, combined with the recent draw away to Richards Bay on Sunday, represents a notable hiccup.

Their previous instance of not securing victories in consecutive league fixtures occurred at the close of the 2023/24 campaign, featuring a 1-1 tie at TS Galaxy followed by a 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City.

This marks the initial occasion under Cardoso where the side has gone without a win in two league outings, and he will be keen to avoid extending that to three during their upcoming trip to Polokwane City on Wednesday, with Betway Premiership action intensifying rapidly.

The team last endured a winless run across three successive matches back in April 2023, involving draws with Cape Town City, Moroka Swallows, and Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Since taking over, Cardoso has managed 46 Betway Premiership encounters, claiming 35 triumphs alongside eight draws and three losses.

Moreover, this was just the fourth match in those 46 where Sundowns failed to find the net.

The outcome proves particularly aggravating given that Sundowns had triumphed in all ten prior clashes against Richards Bay, marking the very first time they have surrendered points to this opponent.

“Tough encounter just as we anticipated, based on what unfolded on the field, featuring numerous battles, on a challenging surface to navigate, we were aware that visiting sides have struggled to claim wins here for various reasons,” Cardoso shared with SuperSport.

“Richards Bay side battles hard, it is less about their style of play since they tend not to control possession, yet they press fiercely during switches, particularly when we push forward to secure the result.