DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns have broken a record set by Kaizer Chiefs after defeating Stellenbosch FC 3-1 on Wednesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 26 September 2023
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Brazilians coach Rulani Mokwena rang the changes after the MTN8 win over Kaizer Chiefs, with Thapelo Maseko, Reyaad Pieterse, Bongani Zungu and Junior Mendieta among the players brought in.
Stellies, meanwhile opted to start Iqraam Rayners on the bench despite his goal against Orlando Pirates over the weekend, as Ivory Coast international Anicet Oura started upfront for the visitors.
The encounter was delayed by 30 minutes due to the bad weather but when the game did get underway, it was Steve Barker's men who got the opening goal on 14 minutes when Devon Titus fired into the roof of the net after Pieterse saved Andre de Jong's initial effort.
The home side looked to get themselves back on level terms as the half went on and they got their reward ten minutes before the halftime break courtesy of a composed finish from defender Grant Kekana.
Sundowns completed the turnaround five minutes before the halftime break, with Aubrey Modiba getting his second league goal of the season with an impressive free-kick to beat Sage Stephens.
Sundowns continued from where the left off in the first half, as Maseko began to see more of the ball down the flank and also managed to force Stephens into a fine save.
The visitors were by no means out of the contest and went close to pulling themselves level midway through the second half, with Sihle Nduli unleashing a powerful strike that sailed inches over the crossbar.
Coach Rulani Mokwena responded with a double change for the final 15 minutes of the second half as Lebohang Maboe and Sphelele Mkhulise replaced Mendieta and Morena to see out the latter stages.
Sundowns wrapped up the contest on 90 minutes when 16-year-old Siyabonga Mabena got his first top-flight goal with a close-range finish after some good work by Shalulile, as Sundowns extend their unbeaten run in the league to 32 games and surpass Chiefs' record of 31.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 26. Pieterse, 20. Kekana, 5. Lebusa, 34. Mvala, 40. Coetzee, 8. Zungu, 17. Modiba, 33. Maseko, 15. Mendieta, 27. Morena, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 14. D.Onyango, 6. B. Onyango, 25. Mudau, 35. Ngobeni, 21. Mkhulise, 33. Maboe, 44. Mabena, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro
Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Moloisane, 22. Sibande, 27. Jurgens, 8. Nduli, 26. Mcaba, 10. Mgaga, 28. Palace, 18. De Jong, 14. Oura, 34. Titus
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 33. De Kock, 12. Mini, 11. Colley, 20. Sekgota, 29. Van Wyk, 9. Rayners, 19. Boji
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