Ruthless Downs sweep Gallants aside 

Mamelodi Sundowns made it two wins out of two at the start of their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign following an emphatic 4-1 win against Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening. 

Gallants were no match for the reigning league champions this week as Tashreeq Matthews, Iqraam Rayners, Lucas Ribeiro and Sphelele Mkhulise powered their way through the Limpopo side in Pretoria.

Gallants shifted the ball around efficiently during the first five minutes of the game, while Siyabulela Shai produced the first shot at goal for the visiting outfit. However, it was Sundowns who broke the deadlock two minutes after Shai’s attempt as Matthews added his name to the scoresheet. 

After a swift build-up move out of Ronwen Williams’ hands, Matthews capped off a squared ball into the area with a left-footed shot from the middle of the goal. 

The Brazilians came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage in the 20^th minute of the match following another incisive attacking move down the right flank of the pitch. After the ball was worked into the middle of the 18-yard area, Aubrey Modiba picked out Marcelo Allende who hoofed his effort over the crossbar.

Sundowns increased their lead moments after the half-hour mark as Rayners joined Matthews on the scoreboard. Just as Gallants came knocking, Downs flexed their attacking prowess with a blistering counterattack that saw Ribeiro, Matthews and Rayners link up to score Downs' second goal of the evening.  

The Tshwane giants immediately assumed control of the ball after the restart and asserted themselves on the opposition by scoring their third goal in the 47^th minute. After slick interplay en route to goal, Matthews threaded the ball through to Ribeiro who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home with a left-footed finish inside the box.  

Mkhulise added to Gallants' misery with 20 minutes to spare after making the most of a goalkeeping blunder on the edge of the six-yard area. In looking to dribble his way out of danger, Nicholas Mlambo was swiftly dispossessed before Mkhulise found the back of the net with the easiest of finishes. 

Gallants were awarded a penalty in the 84^th minute of the match after Monde Mphambaniso beat Zuko Mdeunyelwa for pace before being brought down inside the box. But Gabadinho Mhango fired his shot straight at Williams who denied the visitors a goal. 

Dan Malesela’s side looked lively after that as Mhango made up for his missed penalty with a consolation effort in the 88^th minute. Nevertheless, Downs saw out the game unscathed with a convincing 4-1 win on home soil. 

Mamelodi Sundowns: (2) 4 (Matthews 8’, Rayners 33’, Ribeiro 47’, Mkhulise 70’)

Marumo Gallants: (0) 1 (Mhango 88’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Lebusa, Coetzee (Mkhulise 59’), Kekana, Morena (Mdunyelwa 78’), Tiwani (Khoza 60’), Modiba, Allende, Ribeiro (Shalulile 60’), Matthews, Rayners (Lorch 78’)

Marumo Gallants: Akpeyi (Mlambo 69’), Msendami, Mabotja, Rikhotso, Sibiya, Manaka, Dhludhlu, Nange (Mokobodi 46’), Shai (Mphambaniso 74’), Sithole (Mhango 62’), Mahlatsi (Nhlapo 46’)