Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead in the Betway Premiership after they came from behind to beat Marumo Gallants 3-1 at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday night.
Miguel Cardoso's side found themselves trailing at the break courtesy of Sede Dion's first goal of the season on 37 minutes, but Marcelo Allende restored parity early in the second half and Lucas Ribeiro fired Bafana ba Style in front on 79 minutes, before Iqraam Rayners sealed the comeback win moments later.
Ten-man Sundowns get a valuable three points in Bloemfontein 👆⚪#SSDiski | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/jXIS6PfzhP
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2025
The Brazilians opened up a 12-point gap to Orlando Pirates, who saw their clash with Golden Arrows postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, while Bahlabane Ba Ntwa (14th) remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table following a third straight defeat.
The defending champions looked to stamp their authority on the game from the get-go, with Teboho Mokoena flashing a shot just wide of the upright in the second minute before Rayners sent a header over the crossbar on six minutes.
Jayden Adams then went close in the 20th minute as he steered the ball narrowly over the goal after getting on the end of Allende's cross and Ribeiro forced Washington Arubi into the first save of the contest on 31 minutes following good link-up play with the Chilean midfielder on the edge of the box.
Arubi was called into action again three minutes later to keep out Allende's driven strike and it proved crucial as the hosts broke the deadlock on 37 minutes with Dion directing a free header past Denis Onyango from Daniel Msendami's pin-point cross.
The atmosphere in Bloem 🤩👌
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) February 19, 2025
Junior Dion rises highest at the back post for Gallants 💪
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc @McDonalds_SA pic.twitter.com/P3NXaclR7B
Masandawana went in search of a quick response and Ribeiro threatened to equalise with a first-time shot that flew inches wide of the target in the 41st minute.
However, the visitors hit back six minutes into the second half when Allende received the ball from Rayners and finished clinically into the bottom corner of the net.
Sundowns pushed for a second goal and Ribeiro failed to keep his shot down from inside the area on 59 minutes before Rayners fired straight at Arubi from a tight angle in the 64th minute.
Arubi also denied Allende on 70 minutes after he found a pocket of space to get off a powerful strike, but there was nothing the Zimbabwean goalkeeper could do to prevent Ribeiro from scoring nine minutes later when the Brazilian controlled a cross from compatriot Arthur Sales and slotted home brilliantly.
Rayners wrapped up the win just two minutes later as he beat Arubi at the second time of asking after his initial shot had been saved.
The Brazilians finished the match with 10 men after Onyango received his marching orders in the final minute, having picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.
Man of the moment ⭐️🔥#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/W1qPYpnRTU
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 19, 2025
Marumo Gallants (1) 1 (Dion 37')
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 3 (Allende 51', Ribeiro 79', Rayners 81')
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, E. Khumalo, K. Nthatheni, S. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane, D. Manaka, D. Msendami, M. Nemtajela, S. Sithole (T. Mokobodi 46'), J. Zindoga, S. Dion (G. Mhango 55').
Mamelodi Sundowns: D. Onyango, T. Morena, G. Kekana (K. Cupido 74'), L. Suarez, M. Allende, T. Mokoena, J. Adams (A. Tiwani 74'), A. Modiba (S. Mkhulise 75'), L. Ribeiro (B. Aubaas 82'), P. Shalulile (A. Sales 63'), I. Rayners.