Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns moved six points clear of Orlando Pirates after defeating Magesi FC 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Magesi FC 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 22 January 2025
Venue: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sundowns made two changes following their 1-1 draw against FAR Rabat, as goalkeeper Denis Onyango returned in place of suspended Ronwen Williams while Khuliso Mudau was recalled after he was banned in the CAF Champions League.
The Brazilians had a slow start and were caught napping on 12 minutes after Wonderboy Makhubu opened the scoring for Magesi with a free header at the near post from a cross by John Mokone.
Masandawana were then dealt an injury blow a moment later after Mudau could not continue and was replaced by Thapelo Morena.
Miguel Cardoso's charges struggled to create clear chances, even though they pressurized Dikwena.
The Brazilians were fortunate not to be 2-0 down ten minutes before the break after Makhubu pounced on the sloppiness of Malibongwe Khoza at the back and went clear on goal but his low shot was saved by Onyango in a one-on-one, from point-blank-range.
The visitors continued to have much possession but unable to break down Magesi, as they went to the interval trailing by an odd goal.
Owen Da Gama's troops were threatening early from the break as Delano Abrahams forced a save out of Onyango at the near post.
However, Sundowns eventually got into the game on 64 minutes after Lucas Ribeiro Costa levelled matters with an acrobatic volley in the box from a knock down by Arthur Sales.
Masandawana put Magesi under pressure and with 12 minutes, Peter Shalulile found the back of the net with a free header in the box but the goal was controversially disallowed for offside.
The Brazilians, however, picked themselves up and Tashreeq Matthews finally gave them the lead in the dying minutes with a deflected shot that wrong footed shot-stopper Elvis Chipezeze.
Cardoso eventually closed shop with a tactical and defensive change, as Bathusi Aubaas replaced Shalulile.
The game ended with ill discipline from both teams, after Divine Lunga got a second booking and was red-carded in added time for Sundowns, after his fist fight with Samuel Darpoh, who was also red-carded for the scuffle with the Zimbabwean.
Masandawana extended their lead at the top of the log to six points.
Here's how they lined up:
Magesi: Chipezeze, Abrahams, Mokone, Buthelezi, Mokone, Daepoh, Mekoa, Vandala, Kakora, Rademeyer, Makhubu.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Mudau, Lunga, Kekana, Khoza, Mokoena, Ribeiro, Allende, Mkhulise, Rayners, Shalulile.
Subs: February, Lebusa, Morena, Mashego, Aubaas, Maema, Matthews, Letlhaku, Sales
