Mamelodi Sundowns secured vital three points with a 2-1 victory over Royal AM at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, keeping their unbeaten run in the Betway Premiership intact this season under the tutelage of Manqoba Mngqithi.
It was a tough victory against a team that was eager to prove they were ready for the challenge despite beginning the season poorly.
Below are the talking points from this match.
KHULISO MUDAU AND TEBOHO MOKOENA START FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena finally got the chance to play together after receiving limited playing time in the ongoing season, something that raised many eyebrows within the SA football scene.
The popular pair have been a major talking point since the beginning of the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season. However, Mokoena and Mudau have not been getting much playing time under Sundowns’ head coach, Mngqithi.
Mngqithi justified sidelining the duo by citing the presence of numerous prominent club players. At one point, Mokoena and Mudau were excluded from the Bafana Ba Style line-up for approximately four games.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN IN THE BETWAY PREMIERSHIP
The Brazilians have not experienced a loss in the new Betway Premiership season. Up to now, Sundowns have competed in four matches and emerged victorious in all of them.
Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United are the only teams with a flawless winning record of 100%.
Currently, Masandawana are leading the table with 12 points, tied with the Buccaneers. The only thing that sets the two teams apart is their goal difference.
However, they have only kept one cleansheet in the four league games they have played so far, conceding in three matches in a row.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS’ PLAYERS RULED OUT OF TODAY’S MATCH
The Chloorkop-based outfit came into this encounter without three of their key players who are nursing their respective injuries.
The three players are defender Keagan Johannes, midfielder Lesiba Nku and club captain Themba Zwane.
SPHELELE MKHULISE AND KHULISO MUDAU SHINE FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Sundowns talented midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise broke the deadlock as early as six minutes into the showdown to give his side the lead.
Mudau added to the scoreline just five minutes before the game could come to an end. But Royal AM tried to stage a comeback in the stoppage time of the match, scoring a consolation through Sbangani Zulu. They missed a chance in the dying minutes as they searched for the equaliser.
OTHER RESULT
In another league fixture, Stellenbosch FC defeated Chippa United 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Goals by Ashley Cupido [31st minute] and Devin Titus [43rd minute] were enough to earn the Cape club a win away from home.
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