POLOKWANE, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 26: Lucas Suaraz of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrates goal with team mates during the Betway Premiership match between Sekhukhune United and Mamelodi Sundowns at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns moved 15 points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership table with a 4-2 win over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Sekhukhune United 2-4 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 26 February 2025
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Brazilians head coach Miguel Cardoso handed recalls to Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena after the win over TS Galaxy, while Tashreeq Matthews as back in the squad after returning from suspension.
Sekhukhune were riding high in the league coming into the clash but they were behind after 15 minutes when Jayden Adams picked out the run of Thapelo Morena, who controlled superbly before volleying into the far corner.
Katlego Otladisa was brought back into the Sekhukhune set up and was proving to be real handful down the right flank whenever the visitors got forward, with the winger going close with a left-footed effort after 26 minutes.
Otladisa would go on to make his mark after restoring parity in the 34th minute by pouncing on Jody February’s clearance and firing into the back of the net for his first league goal for Sekhukhune.
However, Sundowns restored their lead four minutes later when January acquisition Lucas Suarez headed home Marcelo Allende’s corner after Sekhukhune goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré was unable to collect the ball after coming off his line.
The opening stages of the second half proved to be quite lively as Sekhukhune should have been level two minutes in when Andy Boyeli was slipped through on goal, however the striker blazed wide with only February to beat.
Sekhukhune were made to rue that miss in the 57th minute when Lucas Costa Ribeiro pounced on a loose ball after Rayners collided with Sangare, before showing composure to fire home his 11th league goal of the campaign.
Coach Cardoso threw on Arthur Sales and Bathusi Aubaas thereafter, with the former extending Sundowns’ lead after 66 minutes when he collected a pass from Aubrey Modiba before finding the bottom corner with a neat strike from outside the box.
Four minutes later, Sekhukhune were gifted a second goal after pouncing on Sundowns’ sloppiness at the back, which Keletso Makgalwa to slot past February and secure his fourth goal of the campaign.
Despite the lapse in concentration, Sundowns were able to see out the closing stages with relative ease although Modiba did pick up a yellow card, which rules him out of Saturday’s clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
Here’s how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 12. Mogaila, 29 . Tshibwabwa, 21. Mohamme, 25. Letlapa, 21. Mokhuoane, 15. Mkhize, 39. Otladisa, 10. Mncube, 7. Makgalwa, 9. Boyeli
Subs:1. Kazapua, 2. Ngakosso-Oko, 4. Cardoso, 17. Kapinga, 23. Mntambo, 27. Makhabela, 31. Mokoane, 33. Rammala, 38. Sihali.
Mamelodi Sundowns: 36. February, 27. Morena, 20. Kekana, 32. Suarez, 6. Modiba, 44. Adams, 4. Mokoena, 10. Ribeiro, 11. Allende, 13. Rayners, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 50. Tshabalala, 5. Lebusa, 25. Mudau, 31. Tiwani, 15. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 43. Letlhaku, 17. Matthews, 9. Sales
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