Nkonxeni saves the day for Sundowns as Diski Challenge race goes down to the wire

Mamelodi Sundowns registered a crucial 1-0 win over TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon to ensure the DStv Diski Challenge title race goes down to the wire.

After in-form striker Thulani Mini inspired log leaders Stellenbosch FC to a 1-0 victory over Moroka Swallows on Saturday, the focus shifted to the Sunday fixture between Sundowns and Galaxy.

All eyes were at Tsakane Stadium as Sundowns needed nothing less than a win to keep their title hopes alive. A draw or defeat against Galaxy would have meant Stellenbosch are the 2023/24 DStv Diski Challenge.

However, that was not the case. Mzwekhaya Nkonxeni scored in the dying stages of the match to save the day for Sundowns.

The two sides went to the break tied in a goalless draw. It looked like the two sides would play to a goalless draw until the last 10 minutes of the match when Nkonxeni beat Galaxy's goalkeeper, scoring the only goal of the game to hand his side maximum points.

After 29 matches, Stellenbosch remain at the top of the log with 60 points. They are three points ahead of second-placed Sundowns, who have gathered 63 points from the same number of matches.

Heading to the final match of the campaign next weekend, Stellenbosch need at least a draw against Golden Arrows to reach 67 points, which Sundowns would not be able to reach even if they beat Swallows. The Winelands-based outfit will be crowned 2023-24 DDC champions.

However, if Stellies were to lose and Sundowns win, goal difference would then become important as both teams would be tied on 62 points each.

ONE TITLE EACH

Stellenbosch and Sundowns have one Diski Challenge title under their belt.

Sundowns won the Diski Challenge in the 2017-18 season.

Stellies, on the other hand, claimed their first Diski Challenge title in the 2021-22 season.

A winner next Saturday will join Golden Arrows in the history books as they would become the second team to have won the Diski Challenge title twice.

Arrows, who will be up against Stellenbosch on the final day, won the Diski Challenge in the 2015-16 and the 2018-19 seasons.