Mamelodi Sundowns delivered a powerful response to TS Galaxy with a convincing 4-1 victory during the Betway Premiership matches on Saturday at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria. The Tshwane team, determined to avenge their recent 1-0 defeat to Galaxy, came out strong at home, eager to secure what was only their second win out of three games.
The encounter started dramatically, as Sundowns netted their first goal just seconds after kickoff, with Peter Shalulile demonstrating the team's attacking intentions right away. The squad doubled their lead merely six minutes later with Iqraam Rayners, who has emerged as one of Sundowns’ key players this season since joining from Stellenbosch FC, proving instrumental. His impressive performance reflects his contributions, with 14 goals and four assists across all competitions so far this season.
Galaxy managed to pull one back through Sphiwe Mahlangu at the 10th minute mark, briefly igniting hopes for fans of the Mpumalanga side. But despair set for Galaxy when Victor Letsoalo was sent off after only 28 minutes, leaving them crippled with ten players on the pitch. Sundowns capitalized on their advantage, scoring their third goal through Jayden Adams toward the end of the first half, concluding the first 45 minutes with Sundowns leading 3-1.
After the break, the dominance continued for Sundowns as Rayners completed his brace just after halftime, pushing the score to 4-1. This match not only granted Sundowns maximum points but raised their tally to 48 points from 18 matches, positioning them strongly for the upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, in another significant match, AmaZulu FC showcased their capabilities by defeating Magesi FC 3-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban. The win was initiated by Nkosikhona Radebe, who opened the scoring at the 21st minute. The momentum propelled AmaZulu as they extended their lead with Tshepang Moremi’s goal at the 63rd minute, before Andiswa Sithole sealed the match's fate with his goal at 76 minutes.
This decisive victory enabled AmaZulu to leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs, indicating their improving form as they positioned themselves closer to the league leaders. Coach Owen Da Gama, facing the repercussions of his team's defeat, remarked after the match, “We will need to fast track this process and sit on the players because it has to come from the players because it's easy to teach them new things but to get rid of bad habits? That's where the challenge is.” His concern for his team’s future echoes the tight competition within the league.
Further down the matchday results, Sekhukhune United prevailed against Chippa United with a narrow 1-0 victory. Shaune Mogaila scored the only goal of the match from distance, allowing Sekhukhune to leap past Polokwane City to claim third place on the table as matchday 18 unfolded. The performance from Sekhukhune showcases the tight nature of the competition, demonstrating how the gulf between victory and defeat is razor-thin.
The day was filled with electrifying football as teams battled for points, each determined to improve their standings. Players returned from injuries to make significant impacts, with Orlando Pirates’ Goodman Mosele marking his season debut with what proved to be the match-winner against Cape Town City, showcasing the unpredictability of the league.
With myriad twists and turns, PSL matchday 18 showcased the absorbing nature of South African football, indicating teams like AmaZulu are making strides upward, with Mamelodi Sundowns asserting their dominance once more. What remains evident is the fierce competition where every match can significantly shift the league dynamics, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next round of play.