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Sundowns one point away from title

football11 May 2025 15:52| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns put one hand on the Betway Premiership trophy after they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Stellenbosch at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

First-half goals from Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales ensured that Miguel Cardoso's side went 15 points clear at the summit, with only 15 still on offer for second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have five matches left to play.

The Brazilians needed just four points from their remaining three fixtures to retain the title after recording successive wins against Richards Bay (3-0), Cape Town City (2-0) and Chippa United (3-0) in the space of just eight days.

Steve Barker's side were looking to keep the pressure on Sekhukhune United in the race for CAF Confederation Cup football, with Babina Noko only one point better off in third position but having played one game more.

The hosts got off to a dream start in Pretoria as they accepted a gift from Oscarine Masuluke, who conceded an indirect free-kick after picking up a backpass inside his own box.

Ribeiro was on hand to lash the ball home from close range in the sixth minute after Tashreeq Matthews laid it off for him from the resulting set-piece.

Masandawana were celebrating again six minutes later when they won back possession off a high press and Ribeiro turned provider on this occasion, setting up Rayners to double their lead with a fine finish.

Worse was to follow for Stellies as they shipped a third goal on 18 minutes.

Enyinnaya Godswill got to a long ball ahead of Ribeiro, but he only succeeded in diverting it into the path of Sales, whose shot took a deflection off Thabo Moloisane and completely wrong-footed Masuluke.

Denis Onyango didn't have a quiet day though, with the goalkeeper needing to save a dipping effort from range on 36 minutes and he was also required to keep out a direct free-kick in the 52nd minute.

The veteran Ugandan had to be at his best to deny the visitors with a double save on 65 minutes as they pushed for a first league goal against Sundowns in 18 months.

Onyango would go on to register his fifth clean sheet in nine starts this season to help preserve Bafana ba Style's impressive defensive record which has seen them concede just 13 goals in 26 games.

Mamelodi Sundowns (3) 3 (Ribeiro 6', Rayners 12', Sales 18')

Stellenbosch (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: D. Onyango (J. February 82'), M. Khoza, G. Kekana, A. Modiba (T. Mashego 74'), K. Mudau, T. Mokoena (T. Zwane 68'), J. Adams, T. Matthews (S. Mkhulise 68'), L. Ribeiro (T. Maseko 82'), I. Rayners, A. Sales.

Stellenbosch: O. Masuluke, G. Enyinnaya, T. Moloisane, I. Toure, F. Basadien, T. Khiba (C. Butsaka 46'), S. Nduli (I. Jabaar 62'), G. Palace (K. Jurgens 88'), A. de Jong, D. Titus (L. Nku 46'), K. Lekoloane (S. Barns 62').

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