33-0: Downs extend home dominance with Siwelele scalp
by Kickoff writer · KickOffMamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten run on home soil to 33 matches in the Betway Premiership with a 3-0 triumph over struggling Siwelele FC.
Teams: Mamelodi Sundowns v Siwelele FC
Result: 3-0
Scorers: Letlhaku (58'), Ndlovu (79'), Matthews (90+2')
Masandawana were on a high after jumping to the top the table with a win over Golden Arrows on Sunday, while Siwelele entered with complete contrasting fortunes and were keen for their first win following the departure of Lehlohonolo Seema.
The struggling visitors showed a lot of endeavour early on and looked to spring a surprise on the counter-attack with Christian Saile breaking clear to cut inside for a shot, but he was unable to make it count.
Sundowns engineered a chance of their own in a tense opening-quarter when Kutlwano Letlhaku and Antonio Van Wyk linked up to tee-up Cassius Mailula for a strike on goal, but the subsequent effort failed to trouble debutant goalkeeper Wandile Mthombeni.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Selaelo Rasebotja came close too for the visitors later to halftime following a powerful close-range shot from the area with the defence caught square, but his attempt went wide.
Sundowns replied on the stroke of halftime and were inches away from breaking the deadlock following a speculative shot by Aubrey Modiba from outside the area, but the full-back dragged his effort over target.
Second Half:
Mothobi Mvala made a long-awaited return to the playing field for Masandawana at the start of the second half and came on to replace Khulumani Ndamane, who was on a yellow card.
Masandawana began to take control in the second half and took the lead when a first-time shot outside the area by Teboho Mokoena bounced off the underside of the crossbar, allowing Letlhaku to capitalise from six-yards out.
The African champions almost doubled their lead through a smartly taken free-kick from the area by Modiba, but Mthombeni palmed onto the upright to keep the score-line down.
Sundowns still fashioned out the better chances and were close again from a mis-placed pass by Sesane who looked to build-up fell straight to Siyanda Ndlovu to get two goals in as many matches, but he couldn’t beat Mthombeni.
Ndlovu continued to lurk around the six-yard box and got his reward by taking advantage of uncertain defending following a stray pass by Aphiwe Baliti and tucked in from close-range, before Tashreeq Matthews rounded off the scoring when he ran onto a through pass from Ndlovu and fired into the far corner.
According to SuperSport, the Brazilians have not lost a home game in the league since the final game of the 2023/24 campaign when they lost 1-0 to Cape Town City, racking up 30 wins and three draws in that period.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Mamelodi Sundowns:
1. Chippa United (A)
2. Al-Ahli (Intercontinental Cup)
3. Richards Bay (A)
Siwelele FC:
1. Golden Arrows (A)
2. Polokwane City (H)
3. Marumo Gallants (A)