Mamelodi Sundowns beat Siwelele FC 3-0 in a Betway Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night to move six points clear at the top of the table.
Second-half strikes from Kutlwano Letlhaku, Siyanda Ndlovu, and Tashreeq Matthews secured all three points for Masandawana, lifting them to 19 points from seven matches. The result opens a six-point gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have two games in hand, while Siwelele remain winless and stuck second from bottom with just two points from six outings.
Here are four key points to take from the clash:
HOW SIWELELE FC FARED UNDER INTERIM COACH GODFREY MOSOETSA
Well-respected youth coach Godfrey Mosoetsa took over for the match against Sundowns on an interim basis after head coach Lehlohonolo Seema was axed by the Siwelele management most recently.
However, one match might not give a clear picture of the changes Mosoetsa has implemented, but Siwelele had a decent first-half performance.
They seemed to have a solution for everything Sundowns threw at them until the 58th minute, when they conceded a goal. However, they also need to work on their mistakes, which led to the second and third goals conceded.
With their next League game against Golden Arrows on Sunday, 13 September, Siwelele could turn the corner if they carry on with the performances displayed in the first-half at Loftus.
WANDILE MTHOMBENI MAKES OFFICIAL DEBUT IN TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL
Before conceding the first goal in the 58th minute of the match, recently signed goalkeeper Wandile Mthombeni was having a decent game.
Mthombeni joined the club from Real Native FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship and had not featured for the Free State side.
However, his performances against Sundowns, especially in the first-half where he made a few saves, proved that he is a decent signing and will add more depth in the goalkeeping department. Mthombeni also had some crucial saves in the second half, proving his quality.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS INJURY LIST GROWS AS THREE MORE PLAYERS RULED OUT
Before the match, Sundowns confirmed that defender Grant Kekana, forwards Bennet Mokoena and Lebo Mothiba were the latest casualties in terms of injuries.
However, team Dr Carl Kgabo Tabane allayed fears that the trio could be out for a long time, indicating that they could soon return to the team. They join Khuliso Mudau and Arthur Sales, who are out with long-term injuries.
However, young defender Malibongwe Khoza was roped in and had a decent partnership with Khulumani Ndamane before the latter was taken off at half-time. Khoza was voted man of the match for his efforts.
BIG BOOST FOR MASANDAWANA AS MOTHOBI MVALA RETURNS AFTER A YEAR OUT INJURED
Mothobi Mvala returned to action for the first time since September 2015 following his recent recovery from an injury. The return of the 32-year-old Bafana Bafana international should come as a huge boost for the reigning CAF Champions League winners in both their continental title defence and domestic schedule.
Mvala was a key figure in the Sundowns squad before his injury setback that also saw him miss out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup selection. He was introduced at the beginning of the second half, coming in for Khulumani Ndamane.
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