The expensively assembled Mamelodi Sundowns has only played two matches in this new season and both produced negative results that left few people on the stands unhappy. It’s still too early for the Sundowns faithful to react negatively like this but what are their concerns? SABC Sport journalist Velile Mbuli watched the Sundowns 1-all draw with Maritzburg United in the opening game Absa Premiership at Loftus stadium this past Friday and complied this report…

The reigning PSL champions were looking for a kind of a result that would have set the tone for the new season, a dominant performance coupled with goals. But as it as happened in the 180 minutes last season between the two teams, spoils were shared. This follows after the club’s exit in the MTN 8 last week, losing at home again to Platinum Stars. A small group of Sundowns fans were yelling at coach Pitso Mosimane after the game raising their concerns, he didn’t “hear” them but says they’ve got the right to do that…

The Sundowns fans are known for their tendencies of making life difficult for coaches when they underperform. But they can also be unreasonable at times for a team that won its first silverware in six years, three months ago when they lifted their sixth league title for the first time in seven years. For a team that was starved of success the demands of this fan so early in the new season are they justified…?

But this fan was not alone in critiquing the technical expects of the game from the Brazilians side, he was joined by the club’s legend Joel “Fire” Masilela who was equally disappointed by the two opening games’ results and the showing too…

Football fans differ and some of those who don’t spend better part of the game running around and dancing like Bishop, the identifiable Sundawana who normally carries a “Concise Oxford English Dictionary” have got faith in their team…

Fire also felt that Mario Booysen’s introduction as a fifth defender with 19 minutes to go, was unwarranted and the team didn’t play according to the strengths of debutant Mame “Long Weekend” Niang…

Niang became signing number 12 for Sundowns in this transfer window and also the 19th foreign player currently on their books. It was a game of mixed feelings for him, providing an assist and also indirectly forcing the game to be a draw. But Mosimane is happy with the Senegalese showing…

In one game last season at the very same Loftus stadium, Victor Gomes awarded a record five penalties when Sundowns narrowly beat Ajax Cape Town but he continued where he left off on Friday. This time Niang was the culprit and he was punished for allegedly using his elbow against Mondli Cele inside the penalty area. Mosimane has spoken positively about Gomes before but he wasn’t sure this time around…

After the opening weekend that only produced 12 goals from eight matches with only two teams scoring two goals, Sundowns will be hoping for an improved performance away to Ajax on Wednesday. Journalist: Velile Mbuli