Mamelodi Sundowns emerged as 2-0 winners over AmaZulu FC in their first Betway Premiership home match of the 2025/26 season at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday night.
In the process, the defending champions recorded their maiden league victory of the campaign, which elevated them to the second spot in the standings.
Masandawana will now focus on Saturday's MTN8 semifinal first-leg clash against Orlando Pirates.
Usuthu, on the other hand, registered their first league defeat of the campaign and they slipped down to the eighth spot.
The KwaZulu-Natal giants will take on Marumo Gallants on 20 August in a league encounter.
The defending Champions get their first W of the #BetwayPrem season 👆🟡#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/o1m8J5lh8v
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
Masandawana took control of the match from the start, but they were limited to long-range shots.
Darren Johnson was called into action in the 27th minute and the goalkeeper saved a long-range shot from Arthur Sales.
Usuthu looked to threaten on the counter-attack. Ronwen Williams had to come off his goal-line twice to stop an AmaZulu attack in the 21st minute and 10 minutes later. The score was 0-0 during the halftime break.
The deadlock was finally broken eight minutes into the second half following a brilliant team move.
Arthur Sales found Tashreeq Matthews, who then set up Iqraam Rayners and the Bafana Bafana forward scored to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead.
This build-up by Sundowns 😲🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 12, 2025
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/N6vI6GadKx
Masandawana then searched for their second goal and they got it in stoppage time.
AmaZulu failed to clear Sales's ball and inspired substitute Matthews scored to seal Sundowns' well-deserved 2-0 victory on the night.
Sundowns 2 (Rayners 53', Matthews 90'+1)
AmaZulu 0
Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Cupido, Lunga (Modiba 46'), Mdunyelwa (Lebusa 90'), Mokoena, Allende, Zwane (Adams 80'), Sales, Rayners (Shalulile 79'), Letlhaku (Matthews 46')
AmaZulu: Johnson, Radebe, Mthethwa, Fielies, Allan, Hanamub, Hlangabeza, Zungu (Motshwari 66'), Mashigo (Sithole 66'), Ngwenya (Moon 82'), Ekstein (Mbanjwa 82')