Arrows Stun Sundowns In Cardoso’s 50th Game In Charge

Golden Arrows pulled off a historic 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday at King Zwelithini Stadium, handing the reigning champions their first league defeat of the season.

Dion Header Seals Historic Win in Cardoso’s 50th Game

In a tightly contested match marked by rainy conditions in Durban, Junior Dion scored the only goal of the game in the 30th minute with a powerful header from a corner by Ayabulela Maxwele. The goal came after a moment of poor marking from Sundowns, who were caught ball-watching in the box.

This match also marked the 50th game in charge for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, but it was a night to forget for the Portuguese tactician.

Arrows End Three-Game Losing Streak

Arrows ended a three-match losing run in style, becoming the first side to beat Sundowns in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership. The victory is also their first league win over Sundowns in Durban since November 2019, when Knox Mutizwa scored twice at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium under then-coach Steve Komphela, who is now part of the Sundowns technical team.

Mngqithi Unbeaten Against Former Club

Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi faced his former employers for the second time and remains unbeaten, with this win following a draw in their previous encounter. Mngqithi, who was dismissed by Sundowns in December 2024 after a decade at the club, chose not to celebrate the win out of respect.

Interestingly, his first game in charge of Arrows back in March was also against Sundowns and ended in a draw.

Debut for Nuno Santos and Ntsabeleng

Sundowns introduced new signing Nuno Santos, a R20 million acquisition from Vitória SC in Portugal, wearing the number 10 jersey vacated by Lucas Ribeiro Costa. While Santos showed glimpses of quality, he struggled to make a major impact in his first taste of South African football.

Later in the game, Katlego Ntsabeleng, on loan from FC Dallas in the MLS, was also introduced as Cardoso searched for an equaliser, but the visitors could not find a breakthrough.

Arrows Nearly Doubled the Lead

Abafana Bes’Thende could have extended their lead in the 77th minute when Sabelo Sithole found himself one-on-one with Ronwen Williams, but his attempted lob lacked power and the chance went begging.

Despite Sundowns dominating possession in the second half, Arrows’ resolute defending and tactical discipline ensured the three points stayed in Durban.