Mamelodi Sundowns shook off their recent slump with a convincing win against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday night.
The Pretoria-based side claimed a 3-0 triumph over Sekhukhune at Loftus Versfeld Stadium with goals from Arthur Sales, Iqraam Rayners, and an own-goal from Tresor Yamba Yamba.
Sundowns faced Sekhukhune looking to bounce back from a disappointing goalless draw against AS Maniema Union in the first match of the CAF Champions League group stages.
Before dropping points in the CAF Champions League against Maniema, the Brazilians had suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the Carling Knockout Cup final against Magesi FC over a week ago.
They missed out on the opportunity to clinch a domestic trophy, while Magesi won their first-ever top-flight silverware since gaining promotion to the SA’s top-flight at the start of the 2024/25 season.
Meanwhile, Babina Noko were also looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat against TS Galaxy in the league last week.
In a bid to pull a big upset against the league champions, Sekhukhune were missing the key midfielder Sipho Mbule, who is on a season-long loan from Downs. Mbule could not face his parent club due to a loan agreement between Sundowns and Sekhukhune.
The match between the two teams saw the home side dominate the early exchanges, creating most of the scoring opportunities. Masandawana took the lead in the 22nd-minute courtesy of an own goal from Trésor Tshibwabwa Yamba Yamba.
Thereafter, the Lehlohonolo Seema-coached team pushed for an equalising goal; however, the Tshwane giants stood resolute at the back.
ARTHUR SALES OPENS HIS SCORING ACCOUNT FOR MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The reigning league champions went into the half-time break leading 1-0, thanks to an own-goal from Yamba Yamba.
After the resumption of second-half, Sundowns netted the second goal of the match through Arthur Sales to take the score to 2-0. The Brazilian-born striker scored his first goal of the campaign from the penalty spot since joining Ka Bo Yellow at the start of the season.
Sundowns held on to walk away with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Babina Noko to sit at the summit of the log standings with 21 points.
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