Mamelodi Sundowns overcame AmaZulu FC 5-2 in arguably the most entertaining Betway Premiership game of the season so far, played at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night.
The victory lifted the African champions to second place in the league standings, level on points with leaders Orlando Pirates.
Miguel Cardoso and his charges now travel to face Golden Arrows on Sunday as they look to overturn a 1-0 MTN8 semifinal deficit.
AmaZulu, meanwhile, remained fourth in the standings after suffering their first league defeat of the season.
Coach Arthur Zwane and his side will now prepare for their KZN Derby clash against Richards Bay, scheduled for 4 September.
The Tshwane giants dominated and outplayed Usuthu in the first half. Brayan Leon broke the deadlock with a world-class strike after Cassius Mailula’s shot deflected, making it 1-0 to Sundowns in the 25th minute — the Colombian’s second goal of the season.
Pressure piled on AmaZulu and they conceded again in the 32nd minute, this time to Teboho Mokoena.
The Bafana Bafana star marked his return from injury with a thunderous and curling free-kick that beat goalkeeper Wilfried Kouassi hands down, putting Sundowns 2-0 up at halftime.
Usuthu played much better after the restart and managed to pull one back through the in-form Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya, who made it 2-1 in the 46th minute.
However, Tashreeq Matthews had other ideas as the former Sirius attacker restored Sundowns’ two-goal lead in the 51st minute.
It was goals galore as Leon grabbed his brace in the 66th minute with Matthews providing the assist.
Ngwenya was not to be outshone by Leon on the night; the Zimbabwean striker netted again in the 70th minute, becoming the outright league top scorer with five goals, making it 4-2.
However, Bennet Mokoena proved an inspired substitute.
The 2025/26 DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Season and Golden Boot winner netted in stoppage time to seal Sundowns’ 5-2 victory over AmaZulu in a thrilling encounter — his first goal as a professional.
Sundowns (2) 5 (Leon 25', 66', T. Mokoena 32', Matthews 51', B. Mokoena 90'+1)
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Ngwenya 46', 70')
SUNDOWNS: Williams, Morena, Khoza, Kekana, Basadien (Modiba 73'), Mokoena, Mkhulise (Zwane 73'), Ndlovu (B. Mokoena 73'), Matthews, Mailula (Allende 56'), Leon (Rayners 78')
AMAZULU: Kouassi, Radebe, Hanamub, Mthethwa, Fielies, Mdaka (Allan 40'), Bern (Mhlongo 46'), Zikhali (Hlangabeza 40'), Ngwenya, Maqokolo (Matlhoko 83'), Mbanjwa (Sithole 82')