Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured 2-0 victory over Polokwane City in their latest 2024/25 Betway Premiership assignment at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.
This win marked sweet revenge for Sundowns, who had suffered a 1-0 defeat to City two weeks ago.
City looked comfortable on the ball during the opening exchanges of the match and played the majority of their football inside the Sundowns half.
With the Brazilians in unfamiliar territory, Rise and Shine actively searched to take an early lead with around 10 minutes on the clock.
The visitors continued to apply forward pressure to the Downs backline but were unable to manufacture any notable scoring chances midway through the first half.
Downs slowly began seeing more of the ball in the middle of the park.
In fact, it was Sundowns who took the lead in the 26th minute as Letlhaku added his name to the scoresheet.
Following a well-worked passing move inside the Polokwane half, Letlhaku beat goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga with an accurate left-footed curling effort on the edge of the 18-yard-area.
Despite taking the lead, Sundowns endured a sticky first half in which Polokwane provided numerous problems going forward.
Nonetheless, the Tshwane-giants preserved their lead heading into the break.
Letlhaku Double
The Brazilians threatened soon after play was restarted with Letlhaku rattling the side netting with a shot at goal in the 52nd minute.
At the other end of the pitch, Polokwane City star Hlayisi Chauke came agonisingly close to levelling matters three minutes later with a missed headed attempt inside the Downs box.
Sundowns’ relentless pressure paid off moments after the hour mark and doubled their advantage through Letlhaku yet again.
After hounding the Rise & Shine backline, Arthur Sales won the ball high up the pitch before finding Letlhaku on the edge of the six-yard area as the Sundowns youngster tapped the ball into the back of the net from close range.
City battled to regain control of the game for much of the second half, while Sundowns continued to create numerous goal-scoring chances en-route to the 90th minute mark.
After an impressive showing in the second half, Downs were able to see out the game with their 2-0 scoreline intact.
Meanwhile TS Galaxy‘s search for a first win in the Betway Premiership continues after they picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday, November 6.