Sundowns expect tough encounter against Gallants

African champions Mamelodi Sundowns are gearing up for their third Betway Premiership match of the 2026/27 season against Marumo Gallants.

It’s a catch-up match for Masandawana, who were still mourning Jayden Adams on the opening weekend of the domestic campaign.

After two games, Sundowns find themselves in 7th position on the log.

They secured a hard-fought 3-2 win away to TS Galaxy, and a 1-all draw against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB stadium on Saturday.

Coach Miguel Cardoso is expecting yet another tough encounter on Wednesday.

“We play at home.

Always team that has capacity to be aggressive in transition using lineouts with reinforcement of their strategy, trying to avoid us from playing to the spaces that we are always strong on.

It’s a team that usually selects players with speed in order to aggress us on transitions,” But the Portuguese coach has no doubt that the young players in his squad will help the club to perform better this season.

Cardoso is adamant that South Africans are talented enough to flourish anywhere in the world.

He singled out a few.

“I’m happy to see Mofokeng doing so well, I’m happy to see what happening with Mbokazi being a highlight in the platform that he is in, he’s been influential in the MLS, Dithejane, the coach has just spoke about him recently about adapting, now hope that the same will happen with Maseko.

Thapelo is a wonderful boy that has special football characteristics that have something to do more with certain environments.

After experiencing Cyprus, it was expected that he will have other opportunities to express himself,” Sundowns have acquired several new players.

And defender Grant Kekana believes that those players have the qualities needed to help the club on all fronts.