Mamelodi Sundowns end year frustrated after another missed opportunity

Mamelodi Sundowns ended their 2025 calendar year on another frustrating note as they failed to break down Siwelele FC, with the sides settling for a 1–1 draw in their Betway Premiership clash.

It has become a recurring pattern this season, with the Brazilians struggling at times to produce the cutting edge they have long been known for. They will now hope that the 2026 restart brings sharper execution and a return to their clinical best.

Sundowns head into the festive season break in an unfamiliar position — chasing the pack rather than leading it, as has so often been the case in recent seasons. They currently trail log leaders Orlando Pirates by two points, and with the Buccaneers having played a game fewer, pressure continues to mount on Miguel Cardoso. 

The coach now not only carries the weight of expectations in the CAF Champions League but must also ensure his side avoid further domestic setbacks. Cardoso expressed his frustration after his team failed to secure maximum points against a difficult Lehlohonolo Seema-coached side.

“These kinds of matches always have a story that is very easy to tell because there is a draw on the score,” Cardoso said, after the match.

The Portuguese coach insisted his team were the only side pushing to win and, despite the disappointment, felt the performance warranted more.

“We can make an analysis of what happened in the pitch but the reality is that there was only one team that fought from the beginning to win this match. With respect, the opponent had to be organised in order to impose the defensive capacity and prevented us into playing and scoring the goals that we wanted.

“The story of the game can be told in different ways, for the ones that are fair, pragmatic and clever on the way they see the game, there is another story to be told, but if you just look at the result and make the story out of the result you can tell another story, but of course we are not happy we wanted the three points.”

Siwelele took the lead through Vincent Pule in what became a controversial moment after a costly error from Ronwen Williams put Sundowns immediately on the back foot. Cardoso admitted the mistake unsettled his players, but he defended his captain unwaveringly.

“We have a goalkeeper that was the best goalkeeper in Africa.

“This season he was a nominee for the best in Africa in the last three seasons, he is the national goalkeeper for several years, he doesnt need any negative comments but just respect and that is what I will give to him.”

For a club accustomed to dominating, Sundowns’ inconsistency has been glaring this season. With the league now heading into a break due to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Cardoso reflected on the disruptions his side has faced. 

“I would like to give my best wishes to the national team of South Africa.

“I would also like the Masandawana family to understand that unfortunately in the last two or three months we had a lot of players that had injuries.

“Those players were national team players and probably because of that they could not even be part of the national team coach thoughts, but as Mamelodi Sundowns we would like to wish them all the best for the AFCON.”