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Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2025Backpage
Kiplagat Sang

Are Mamelodi Sundowns players sabotaging the team? Masandawana were celebrating average Nuno Santos when Golden Arrows were training; the coach is turning Downs into Kaizer Chiefs' - Fans react to The Brazilians' loss

Masandawana were frustrated and ended up dropping points that may cost them big at the end of the season. Being the defending champions and a dominant force in the last eight seasons, much was expected from them, but they look far from convincing.

Mamelodi Sundowns have suffered their first Premier Soccer League loss this season after a 1-0 defeat to Golden Arrows on Wednesday. 

The defeat adds more pressure not only to head coach Miguel Cardoso but also to his players, who will now be under more scrutiny because of their general underperformance. 

The fact that the Brazilians have played more games than their rivals in the league and are not at the top is another issue that will put them under more negative spotlight. With nine games played, Downs are second with 18 points, as Sekhukhune United sit at the top with 19 points from seven games.

After the defending PSL champions lost their first game this campaign at the hands of Abafana Bes'thende, GOAL takes a look at how the fans reacted.

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  • Jayden Adams, Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2025Backpage

    Standing with Cardoso

    Remember that this man has a family to feed; we stand with our brother Cardoso in these difficult times - T U M I

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  • Aubrey Modiba, Keanu Cupido and Siyanda Ndlovu, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Golden ArrowsBackpage

    Sabotage?

    Is this sabotage by our players because they all look demotivated, or is our coach genuinely losing the plot? Because this is a generational stinker. I am smelling a sack, I won’t lie - 𝕏 

  • Nuno Santos, Vitoria Guimaraes SC, September 2025Nuno Santos

    Average Santos

    They were celebrating the average player Nuno Santos while Golden Arrows was busy training - Vho Mulalo

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  • Nuno Santos, Vitoria Guimaraes SC, September 2025Nuno Santos

    Scoring from the dressing room

    We all thought the new signing was the biggest thing. People said, "Nuno Santos can score from the dressing room." - Lerato Love

  • Kaizer Chiefs playersKaizer Chiefs on X

    Downs turning into Chiefs

    Cardoso is slowly turning Sundowns into Chiefs - Emma Slime

  • Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate Tashreeq Matthews' goalBackpagepix

    Top 8 will be big achievement

    The sooner we accept that Sundowns will no longer be the same, the better. The intention was to kill "Shoe Shine and Piano" and play marathon football with players attached to Shoe Shine and Piano. Now every team can beat Sundowns; there's no team anymore. Top 8 will be a big achievement - ZA_Simply

  • Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi Sundowns, August 2025Backpage

    Release Shalulile and Adams

    I liked all the new players. You can release (Peter) Shalulile and (Jayden) Adams now. Khoza can be a backup player. Mothiba must tell us if he wants to play for us or not. You are allowed to substitute Tebogo if he is playing nonsense; Bathurst is available - Molwantwa

  • Miguel Cardoso of Mamelodi SundownsBackpagepix

    Disaster

    Actually, we should have been beaten 3-0, gents. Now I concede that the players also contribute to the go-slow protest. Cardoso is assisting them. I just wish P. Motsepe would come down to see what a mess the club is. Completely disastrous - Peter MA

  • Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2025Backpagepix

    Not surprised

    Well, we are not surprised; you can’t play such football with such combinations and expect to win. Gone are the days we dominated SA football - Mr Weapons

  • Miguel Cardoso, Mamelodi Sundowns, September 2025Backpage

    Cardoso will relegate Downs

    The only thing left for Miguel Cardoso in South Africa is to relegate Mamelodi Sundowns – Sundowns ya Tsefa

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