Miguel Cardoso lauds PSL ahead of Marumo Gallants tie

19.08.26 13:30 South African Betway Premiership

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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Marumo Gallants

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Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has heaped praise on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) ahead of their Betway Premiership clash against Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

The fixture was initially penciled in for the opening weekend of the 2026/27 campaign, but was ultimately postponed after the untimely passing of midfielder Jayden Adams last month.

With both teams playing catch-up, crucial maximum points are on the line in the capital as the hosts currently sit seventh with four points amassed, while the visitors are in 14th place with a single point accumulated.

Notably, Gallants are now spearheaded by Phuti Mohafe, who left Polokwane City ahead of the current season, and the Downs mentor is under no illusion about his counterpart's exploits against Masandawana.

“First of all, Marumo had and has players that are very interesting, secondly, it's true that the coach in the past has made life difficult for Sundowns,” said Cardoso.

"I also remember that most of those matches were played in that second stadium in Polokwane [Old Peter Mokaba]. It was like a strategy to take Sundowns there to not allow the game to be played in the way it has to be played.

Cardoso went on to hail the PSL for rebuffing TS Galaxy's request to host his team at the compact Solomon Mahlangu Stadium last week Tuesday, stating the decision signifies progress in South African football.

"That is something I really want to praise also because when we went to play TS Galaxy it was an appeal to change the game to a smaller stadium, and the league didn't allow that to happen.

"It's also a step forward, we just need to be consistent on that attitude. Good matches should be played in the best pitches, that's how South Africa will develop because that's what we praise when we see the AFCON and the World Cup.

"The best matches in the Champions League is teams providing conditions so that the football is well-played. And look, we had a difficult match when we played TS Galaxy on that big stadium, the pitch was good.

"So, it's not because of the pitch that teams can [win games], it's just a mental situation, it's just the way teams have to commit themselves with developing for high level.

Sundowns, meanwhile, will be looking to get back to winning ways after settling for a one-all draw with Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in their last league outing over the weekend.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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