10-man Mamelodi Sundowns had to fight back to defeat Marumo Gallants 3-1 on Wednesday night in the Betway Premiership at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Sede Dion opened the scoring in the 37th minute to hand the hosts the lead.
The scoreline remained unchanged for the remainder of the first half. In the second half, Marcelo Allende, Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayner found the back of the net for Sundowns.
The goal Ribeiro scored was his 10th in the league this season. Goalkeeper Denis Onyango was sent off in the 90th minute following his second yellow card in the game. Thapelo Morena was the goalie for the last few minutes.
The two teams were meeting for the third time this season. In the first clash in the league, Sundowns won 4-1 in September 2024, then in the Carling Knockout Cup semifinals, Masandawana registered a 1-0 victory.
10 CHANGES IN THE SUNDOWNS STARTING LINE-UP
Coach Miguel Cardoso made 10 changes from the team that defeated Mpheni Home Defenders 2-0 in the Nedbank Cup Last 16, with Denis Onyango as the only survivor.
Teboho Mokoena, Grant Kekana, Lucas Suarez, Jayden Adams, Lucas Ribeiro, Aubrey Modiba, Marcelo Allende, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Morena and Peter Shalulile started the match. They replaced Bathusi Aubaas, Mosa Lebusa, Malibongwe Khoza, Kobamelo Kodisang, Sphelele Mkhulise, Asekho Tiwani, Esquivel, Terrence Mashego, Tashreeq Matthews and Arthur Sales.
The victory saw the Tshwane giants returned to winning ways in the league. Last time out, they suffered a 1-0 defeat against TS Galaxy. In 17 matches, Sundowns are at the summit of the log with 45 points.
GALLANTS’ WINLESS RUN IN THE LEAGUE STRETCHES TO FOUR MATCHES
The defeat at home saw Gallants’ struggles in the league continue, as they are now without a victory in four matches. Gallants’ last league victory was in January, as they defeated Cape Town City FC 1-0.
In their previous results, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa registered one draw and suffered three defeats. On the log standing, Gallants find themselves near the relegation zone. Siwelele Sa Marumo are 14th, with 15 points after collecting four wins, three draws and nine defeats.
In another match played on Wednesday, Sekhukhune United came from a goal down to defeat AmaZulu FC 4-2 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Etiosa Ighodaro and Elmo Kambindu scored for Usuthu. Linda Mntambo scored a brace, with Andy Boyeli and Keletso Makgalwa also on target for Babina Noko.
The victory saw Sekhukhune remain fourth on the log with 28 points from 17 outings. Meanwhile, AmaZulu are eighth after collecting 23 points from 18 matches.
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