Sundowns’ 608-day unbeaten streak nets 7th consecutive DStv Prem title
Mamelodi Sundowns secured their seventh DStv Premiership title following their 5-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs’ 10-man at FNB Stadium on Thursday night.
Below are the talking points from this encounter.
THATAYAONE DITLHOKWE RETURNS
Thatayaone Ditlhokwe returned to the field of play after recovering from a shoulder injury which saw him on the sidelines for quite some time.
Ditlhokwe sustained his injury while on national duty when he was just starting to settle well in Amakhosi’s starting line-up since joining the side from SuperSport on a free transfer at the beginning of the season.
The last time he had played for Chiefs was against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the first Soweto Derby on 11 November 2023.
CHIEFS COACH CAVIN JOHNSON MAKE FIVE CHANGES
Chiefs interim coach Cavin Johnson made five changes from the team that faced SuperSport United in Polokwane last Saturday.
Three of those changes were forced changes in the backline. Edmilson Dove was not part of the matchday squad as he was suspended after collecting four yellow cards. He was replaced by Ditlhokwe, who had just returned from injury.
The other changes included S’fiso Hlanti and Dillan Solomons, who are both out with flu. Reeve Frosler and Zitha Kwinika started in their places.
Johnson made two tactical changes in the midfield, with Yusuf Maart coming in for Sibongiseni Mthethwa, while Mduduzi Shabalala was replaced by Edson Castillo.
RED CARD FOR GIVEN MSIMANGO
In the 19th minute of the game, referee Abongile Tom showed a straight red card to Given Msimango for a professional foul. Chiefs played most of the game with one man down.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS PLAYERS RULED OUT
Sundowns came into this match without six of their key players due to different injuries.
The six are Rushine De Reuck [knee injury. Stage 3 rehabilitation], Abdelmounaim Boutouil [groin injury. Stage 1 rehabilitation], Teboho Mokoena [hamstring injury on stage 2 rehabilitation], Siyanda Nyanga [knee injury, Post operation. Also stage 3 rehabilitation], Thapelo Maseko [ankle injury, stage 1 rehabilitation], and Bongani Zungu [ankle injury, stage 1 rehabilitation].
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS NEEDED THREE POINTS TO CLINCH LEAGUE TITLE
Sundowns came into this clash needing only three points to secure their seventh straight league title in the DStv Premiership.
The Brazilians are yet to suffer a loss in the SA elite league this campaign. Sundowns are the first PSL team to go unbeaten in the first 24 games of the league this season.
In fact, Bafana Ba Style are now 608 days without losing a match. The last time Sundowns succumbed to a league game loss was on 02 September 2022 when they were beaten 2-1 by SuperSport United.
MATTHEWS, ESQUIVEL, RIBEIRO AND LORCH HAND SUNDOWNS LEAGUE TITLE
Tashreeq Matthews, Matías Esquivel, Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch finally handed the Brazilians their seventh straight DStv Premiership title, as they were on the scoresheet when Sundowns defeated Chiefs.
Matthews broke the deadlock in the 52nd of the match before Esquivel added to the scoreline in the 56th minute of the showpiece.
Matthews completed his brace in the 82nd minute of the game. Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch buried the game by adding to the scoreline in the dying minutes of the game.
Mduduzi Shabalala scored the only goal for Chiefs from the spot kick in the 85th minute of the showdown.
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