Sundowns Tighten Grip At The Summit

POLOKWANE – Mamelodi Sundowns pulled three points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership standings after a late 2–0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night.

Head coach Miguel Cardoso rang the changes following Friday’s CAF Champions League draw, making 10 alterations to his starting line-up. Denis Onyango returned in goal, with Kegan Johannes, Reisinho, Iqraam Rayners, Brayan Leon and Jayden Adams recalled, while new signing Khulumani Ndamane was handed his senior debut.

Sundowns dominated possession from the outset but struggled to translate control into clear chances. Despite pairing Rayners and Leon up front, the Brazilians found Sekhukhune well organised at the back, with little space to operate in and around the penalty area.

The visitors’ first real opening arrived just after the half-hour mark. Arthur Sales burst down the right flank and picked out Rayners in the box, but the striker’s first-time effort drifted wide of Renaldo Leaner’s post.

Sekhukhune, who employed a similarly cautious approach to their recent goalless draw against Orlando Pirates, relied heavily on Leaner to keep them level. The goalkeeper was alert just before the break, producing a fine foot save to deny Leon from close range.

Little changed after the restart, prompting Cardoso to look to his bench. Rayners and Sphelele Mkhulise were withdrawn, with Nuno Santos and Tashreeq Matthews introduced as Sundowns pushed for a breakthrough.

The substitutions nearly paid off in the 73rd minute when Matthews weaved his way into the box, skipped past a challenge and unleashed a powerful shot that Leaner brilliantly turned away. It was another standout moment for the Sekhukhune keeper, who was keeping his side in the contest almost single-handedly.

Peter Shalulile was thrown on for the final 15 minutes and quickly found himself in promising positions, but South Africa’s all-time leading Premiership scorer sent two close-range efforts wide.

Just as it looked as though Sekhukhune might hold on, Sundowns finally broke through in stoppage time. In the 91st minute, substitute Khuliso Mudau shrugged off two challenges before laying the ball off to Santos, who calmly swept a finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area for his first goal of the season.

The points were sealed two minutes later when Sundowns struck again. Leaner could only parry Shalulile’s volley, and the rebound was headed into the far corner, giving the visitors a deserved cushion and underlining their late dominance.

The win strengthens Sundowns’ position at the top of the table as they continue to balance domestic and continental commitments with impressive depth and resilience.

Line-ups

Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Ndlovu, Letlapa, Grobler, Cardoso, Mncube, Phiri, Matsimbi, Monare, Mkhize, Langa
Subs: Nsabata, Tlaka, Tshibwabwa, Malivha, Mokoena, Makgalwa, Mampuru, Mojela, Boyeli

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Johannes, Ndamane, Lunga, Adams, Reisinho, Morena, Mkhulise, Sales, Rayners, Leon
Subs: Pieterse, Cupido, Mudau, Modiba, Allende, Santos, Matthews, Letlhaku, Shalulile