Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Sekhukhune United 4-2 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening to open a 15-point lead at the top of the Betway Premiership.
The Brazilians’ 17th win from 19 league matches this season was secured by goals from Thapelo Morena, Lucas Suarez, Lucas Ribeiro and Arthur Sales.
The league leaders complete the double over Sekhukhune comfortably 🤝
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 26, 2025
Up next, a thriller at Lucas Moripe against Amakhosi 👀⏩#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/N35bhmJxoH
Nearest chasers Orlando Pirates now have no less than four games in hand, but with every win Sundowns rack up, an eighth successive PSL title looks more and more inevitable.
As for Babina Noko, they remain in third spot on the log despite suffering a sixth league defeat of the season.
After dominating the opening quarter hour, Sundowns claimed the lead in the 16th minute via Thapelo Morena. The right wingback was picked out in the 18-yard area by an excellent diagonal from Jayden Adams, and Morena controlled the ball on the chest before stroking a composed finish past goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare to make it 1-0.
Sundowns appeared to have the game under control, but on 35 minutes they conceded a very preventable equaliser: Shaune Mogaila whipped in a fine cross from the right which was spilt into the danger area by goalkeeper Jody February, and Katlego Otladisa gleefully struck home with his left foot for 1-1.
The league champions nearly reclaimed the advantage three minutes later, with Iqraam Rayners heading on target from a corner kick delivery, but Sangare made a fine save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
DOWNS CAPITALISE
Yet Sekhukhune did not learn a lesson from that chance, as another corner kick just a minute later was flapped at by Sangare, and Lucas Suarez headed into an empty net to put the Brazilians 2-1 up.
The visitors needed just 10 minutes of the second half to make it 3-1. A defensive error allowed Rayners in on goal, but he ended up being tripped and collided with Sangare – yet the loose ball was picked up by Lucas Ribeiro, who easily found the back of the net to effectively kill off Sekhukhune’s challenge.
Sundowns substitute Arthur Sales netted to make it 4-1 in the 66th minute, shortly after entering the game in place of Rayners. The Brazilian capitalised on space just outside the box, as he spun and unleashed a low drive from his left foot which nestled in the bottom corner of the net.
Sekhukhune pulled a goal back in the 70th minute to make it 4-2, with former ‘Downs player Keletso Makgalwa latching onto a sloppy header in defence before stabbing a low shot past February.
The Brazilians geared down and saw out the remainder of the match in comfort, keeping some energy in reserve for a heavyweight bout with Kaizer Chiefs scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Sekhukhune, meanwhile, will look to recover when they face lower league Milford FC in a Nedbank Cup round-of-16 clash the following day.
Sekhukhune United (1) 2 (Otladisa 35’, Makgalwa 70’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 4 (Morena 16’, Suarez 39’, Ribeiro 55’, Sales 66’)
Sekhukhune: Sangare, Yamba, Mohamme, Letlapa, Mogaila, Mkhize, Mokhuoane (Ngakosso 82’), Mncube (Mntambo 46’), Makgalwa, Otladisa (Mokoena 68’), Boyeli (Kapinga 82’)
Sundowns: February, Morena (Mudau 46’), Kekana, Suarez (Lebusa 79), Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Adams (Aubaas 63’), Ribeiro (Matthews 79’), Shalulile, Rayners (Sales 63’)