Sundowns’ set-piece struggles: Star explains on ‘unfortunate situation’ ahead of Gallants date

Mamelodi Sundowns have played three competitive games in the South African top-tier, but are yet to keep a clean sheet.

Masandawana started their 2026/27 season with a 3-2 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-final. They then won against TS Galaxy by the same scoreline in the Premier Soccer League, before drawing 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs last weekend at the FNB Stadium.

On Wednesday, the Brazilians host Marumo Gallants in another PSL fixture at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. A win for them will bring the team to seven points, the same as Orlando Pirates, Chiefs and AmaZulu.

Ahead of the game, the technical team is definitely finding a solution following their failure to defend set-pieces. Out of the five goals conceded, three have been from that situation.

Masandwana ‘have been unfortunate’

Bafana Bafana international defender Grant Kekana insists the Brazilians are focused on delivering, and despite them conceding more than half the goals, it doesn’t mean they are badly off.

“Obviously, we don’t like conceding as defenders. Set-pieces should be something that we enjoy defending. We’ve just been unfortunate this season,” Kekana said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“Maybe a lapse of concentration here and there, but it’s something that we’re still working on now. 

“We obviously want to get better, but I don’t think it’s something that’s making us panic in any way. It’s just about us improving how we deal with set-pieces,” he concluded.

After the South African top-tier fixture, Mamelodi Sundowns will continue their preparations for the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final against Golden Arrows on Sunday.