Chiefs hold the fort at the Calabash as Sundowns continue search for answers

With plenty of expectation heading into a highly anticipated clash at the Calabash, the spoils were shared, but the draw raised more questions than answers as the pressure continues to mount.

That pressure weighs heavier on Mamelodi Sundowns, who failed to assert themselves against a Kaizer Chiefs side that matched them stride for stride. The game lacked clear goalmouth action, yet Sundowns’ unconvincing start to the season rolls on into another weekend, with the favourites still short of where they were expected to be.

Matchday five now looms before the first international break, and from what has been the biggest fixture of the season so far, five major talking points have emerged.

Pressure mounts on Cardoso

Portuguese mentor Miguel Cardoso is already feeling the heat in a role that has only been made comfortable over the years by consistent results from his predecessors. Unbeaten this season but far from convincing, he looks like a boxer on his knees. 

It is unclear if he still has the dressing room on his side, but he has certainly lost the trust of most of the fans. Failing to beat Chiefs, a side they dominated last season, did not help. With Stellenbosch FC up next, anything less than victory could spell more trouble.

The shoe shine without the piano

The familiar Sundowns that dictated possession and crushed opponents with control has not been seen this season. They haven’t been poor, but they haven’t been their dominant selves either. Whether teams have figured out how to counter them or whether the spark has dimmed, the fact remains that their sharp edge is missing. 

Signs were there last season in some of the tight CAF Champions League games, which they narrowly won, and the trend has carried over. It may be time for the technical team to reset and return to what worked previously, as for now they look like a side in need of a jump start.

No fluke but continuous improvement

This was the perfect test of Chiefs’ promising start, and even though the game ended in a draw, they will walk away the happier side. In fact, with better finishing, they could have taken all three points. Returning coach Nasreddine Nabi may not have been on the bench in the first three matches, but his hand was clear in those results in how compact and disciplined his team looked. 

Early days or not, this result will give Amakhosi belief that they can improve on the last two seasons and challenge the early favorites.

Shut the back door

New signing Thabiso Monyane has drawn attention, but Nabi will be equally pleased with the introduction of experienced left-back Paseka Mako, who added valuable minutes after his move from Orlando Pirates. 

As a unit, Chiefs’ defence has shown significant improvement, and it is no coincidence that they remain unbeaten without conceding. Last season, this was their weakness; this season, the clean sheets are building confidence and keeping them firmly in contention.

No Peter Shalulile, lots of problems

Once again, Namibian striker Peter Shalulile was sidelined as Sundowns drew their second match of the season. It is puzzling why a player of his quality is not getting a look-in, especially after scoring in their last win against Magesi FC and standing on the verge of breaking Siyabonga Nomvethe’s all-time PSL scoring record of 129 goals. 

Having played only four minutes across the last two games, his absence leaves more questions than answers, and Sundowns are clearly missing him in front of goal.