Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the Betway Premiership summit after they recorded a hard-fought 2-1 win over Royal AM at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday evening.
Goals in each half from Sphelele Mkhulise and Khuliso Mudau saw Manqoba Mngqithi’s side continue their perfect start to the season as Thwihli Thwahla suffered their first defeat in five matches.
Sundowns were looking to keep pace with Orlando Pirates, who beat SuperSport United 2-0 on Tuesday to go top of the table and maintain their 100 per cent record in the league.
Royal AM had yet to taste defeat after four games, although they were still searching for their first win in 2024-25 after four successive draws.
The hosts threatened straight from the kick-off as Peter Shalulile flashed a first-time shot just wide of the target from the edge of the box in the opening minute and they didn’t give John Maduka’s side any time to settle after breaking the deadlock on six minutes.
Thwihli Thwahla tried to play out from the back, but Mkhulise pounced on a heavy touch from Sbangani Zulu and advanced into the box before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
Sundowns continued to probe for a second goal, only to be thwarted by some dogged defending from the visitors. Ronwen Williams was eventually called into action five minutes before the break to keep out a long-range effort.
The KZN outfit created the first chance of the second half as Williams saved a header from a free-kick on 61 minutes, while back up the other end Xolani Ngcobo was well placed to deny Teboho Mokoena from range two minutes later.
More latch-ditch defending from Royal AM prevented Sundowns from doubling their lead in the closing stages, with Siyabonga Mabena surging into the 18-yard area before seeing his shot blocked and Lucas Ribeiro rounding Ngcobo moments later but Thabo Matlaba was on hand to make a goal-saving tackle.
The defending champions kept knocking on the door and their persistence would pay off five minutes from time when Mudau latched onto a loose ball inside the box and buried his shot beyond Ngcobo.
There was still time for Thwihli Thwahla to get on the scoresheet though, as Zulu made amends for his earlier mistake by steering the ball home from a corner in the second minute of stoppage time.
Meanwhile Stellenbosch FC outclassed Chippa United 2-0 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Elsewhere Rulani Mokoena’s Wydad Athletic Club succumbed to their second defeat of the Botola Pro League campaign after going down 2-0 to Club Omnisports Meknes at the Stade d’Honneur on Wednesday evening.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.