Mamelodi Sundowns kicked off their pre-season tour with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to SV Sandhausen on Tuesday evening, 16 July 2024. The match, played at Stadion Jenbach in Austria, saw the South African giants struggle to find their rhythm against a determined German third-tier side.

Mamelodi Sundowns vs SV Sandhausen: Slow Start Punishes Sundowns

Sandhausen took the lead in the 33rd minute through Tim Maciejewski, who capitalized on a corner kick. Despite Sundowns controlling possession for much of the second half, they struggled to break down a resolute Sandhausen defence. This sluggish start from Sundowns will be a concern for coach Manqoba Mngqithi. The Brazilians are known for their attacking flair, but they were unable to impose themselves on the game in the first half.

Second-Half Fightback Not Enough

Tashreeq Matthews managed to pull a goal back for Sundowns in the second half, offering a glimmer of hope for the Brazilians. However, Dominic Baumann restored Sandhausen’s two-goal advantage in the 70th minute, sealing the victory for the German side. The second half saw a much-improved performance from Sundowns. They were more aggressive in their pressing and created several chances. However, conceding a second goal ultimately proved costly.

Early Signs for Mngqithi’s Squad

The result has come as a surprise to many, with Sundowns expected to comfortably defeat their lower-league opponents. However, the match served as a reminder of the importance of pre-season preparation as Sundowns look to build their fitness and tactical awareness ahead of the upcoming season.

Here are some key takeaways from the match:

Slow start for Sundowns: The Brazilians struggled to find their usual rhythm in the first half, allowing Sandhausen to take control of the game.
Defensive frailties: Sundowns conceded two goals from set pieces, which will be a cause for concern for coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
Second-half fightback: Despite going down early, Sundowns showed a fight in the second half and will be hoping to build on their positive performance.

Takeaways from the Match

While the result is a disappointment for Sundowns, it’s important to remember that this is just the first match of their pre-season campaign. The Brazilians will have several more opportunities to fine-tune their tactics and improve their fitness before the start of the new season. This match served as a reminder of the importance of pre-season preparation. The Sundowns squad will need to work hard to address the issues exposed in this match if they want to be successful in the upcoming season.