Sundowns Secure First Win Of The Season Against AmaZulu

Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first win of the season, beating AmaZulu 2-0 at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday night. While not as fluid as they would have liked, the reigning champions finally found their stride in the second half, with goals from Iqraam Rayners and Tashreeq Matthews.

The victory gives Sundowns four points from two matches, following a 1-1 draw against Chippa United on Saturday. AmaZulu, who started the season with a win over Orbit College, remain on three points.

AmaZulu, under coach Arthur Zwane, held their ground in the first half, employing a compact 3-5-2 formation that made it difficult for Sundowns to penetrate. Despite their defensive resilience, the visitors had a significant chance in the 22nd minute when Teboho Mashigo was played through by Riaan Hanamub, but he failed to capitalize.

Sundowns, missing key players like Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Khuliso Mudau, lacked their usual cohesion. Ribeiro Costa, the reigning PSL Footballer of the Season, has now missed three matches amid transfer talks with clubs in Qatar and Brazil. Mudau was also absent for the third consecutive game due to a rumored contract dispute. It was clear that the team missed Costa’s ability to unlock a low-block defense.

The home side’s breakthrough came in the 53rd minute. Following a period of sustained pressure, Arthur Sales flicked a ball into the box, and Matthews headed it into the path of Rayners, who finished comfortably from close range.

After the opening goal, Sundowns grew into the game and began to assert their dominance. AmaZulu had a chance to equalize in the 67th minute, but Hendrick Ekstein’s attempted flick on a loose ball couldn’t find the target with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams out of position. AmaZulu’s best chance to level the score came late in the game when Thandolwethu Ngwenya blazed a shot wide from inside the box, a moment that highlighted their struggle to register a single shot on target.

Sundowns eventually sealed the victory in stoppage time. Arthur Sales’s cross found Matthews, whose initial touch was not perfect, but the ball fell kindly back to him, allowing him to beat AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson at the near post to make it 2-0.