By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
The defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns ended their Betway Premiership campaign on a disappointing note after suffering a 3-2 defeat against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.
Sundowns had a dismal start, with all the early scoring chances falling to the home side. They conceded two goals in the opening 20 minutes, scored by Victor Letsoalo and Sedwyn George.
Letsoalo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Seluleko Mahlambi was brought down in the box, and George doubled the lead after Galaxy launched a quick transition play.
Sundowns slowly gained momentum and managed to pull one goal back courtesy of Brayan Leon, who received a pinpoint cross from Teboho Mokoena in the 38th minute. A few minutes later, the Colombian forward equalised for Downs from the penalty spot, and the entertaining encounter went into the half-time break with the score level at 2-2.
Immediately after the restart, Galaxy punished a sleeping Sundowns defence by exploiting the high line. Siphesihle Maduna was played through before selflessly squaring the ball to an unmarked Mpho Mvelase, who rolled it into an empty net.
Galaxy held firm to snap a winless run, secure their status, and potentially hand the title to Orlando Pirates on a silver platter.
The Brazillians remain top of the log with 68 points, three ahead of the second-placed Pirates.
Pirates have a +44 goal difference and Sundowns +36, they just need just three more points from a home clash against Durban City on Saturday or a trip to Orbit College the following week.
Sundowns will now focus on the CAF Champions League final against AS Far, starting with the home leg in Pretoria on Sunday. The Brazilians host the first leg of the tie, with the return in Rabat a week later on Sunday, 24 May (19h00 GMT).