Mamelodi Sundowns have joined Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at the summit of the Betway Premiership after recording a convincing 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night.
The victory saw the Brazilians move onto seven points from their opening three league matches, putting them level with defending champions Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The three giants are separated by goal difference, with Pirates leading the standings on a +5 goal difference, followed by Chiefs on +4 and Sundowns on +3.
Sundowns went into the match having collected four points from their first two league encounters — a dramatic 3-2 victory over TS Galaxy and a 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs — and were looking to make their home league debut count.
They did exactly that, producing a controlled performance against a Gallants side that struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 21st minute through defender Malibongwe Khoza.
Bathusi Aubaas played a key role in the build-up when he headed a deep cross back across the face of goal. Khoza reacted quickly inside the penalty area and produced an excellent right-footed volley from around 12 yards.
Despite Gallants having defenders positioned on the goal line, Khoza’s powerful effort went through them and into the back of the net to give Sundowns a 1-0 advantage. It was the defender’s first league goal of the new campaign.
Gallants, under new head coach Phuti Mohafe, were unable to find an equaliser before the interval, leaving Sundowns with a slender lead at half-time.
Mohafe had already endured a difficult start to his tenure. Gallants opened their league campaign with a goalless draw against Kruger United before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Stellenbosch, with the coach taking responsibility and apologising to the club hierarchy for that heavy loss.
Sundowns continued to control proceedings after the break and eventually doubled their advantage through Cassius Mailula.
Mailula, who has made an impressive return to the Sundowns setup, produced another moment of individual brilliance. Brayan Leon supplied a clever backheel into the path of the forward, allowing Mailula to collect the ball just outside the penalty area before curling a superb effort beyond the Gallants goalkeeper.
The goal, which came in the second half, completed a 2-0 victory for the Brazilians and marked Mailula’s third goal in 10 days since returning to Sundowns.
The result also underlined Sundowns’ strong home record. According to the latest match analysis, the Brazilians have now gone 31 league matches unbeaten at home.
For Gallants, however, the defeat leaves Mohafe facing an early rebuilding job.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remain on one point from their opening three league matches, having failed to win any of their games. Their campaign began with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Kruger United, followed by the 3-1 loss to Stellenbosch and now the 2-0 defeat to Sundowns.
The Pretoria defeat therefore leaves Gallants among the early strugglers and increases the pressure on Mohafe to quickly turn the team’s fortunes around. The former Polokwane City coach was appointed after guiding City to three successive top-eight finishes and was brought in with the task of making Gallants competitive in the top flight.
Mohafe will have little time to dwell on the defeat. Gallants are scheduled to return to action on 25 August, when they host TS Galaxy, giving the new coach an opportunity to search for his first league victory of the season.
For Sundowns, the immediate focus now shifts back to cup football. The Brazilians face Lamontville Golden Arrows in the MTN8 semifinal on Sunday, before returning to Betway Premiership action against AmaZulu on 26 August.
The 2-0 victory over Gallants has nevertheless sent an early warning to the rest of the league: Sundowns may have surrendered their championship crown to Orlando Pirates last season, but the Brazilians are already showing signs that they intend to reclaim it.
