Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first defeat of the DStv Premiership on the final day of the season after losing 1-0 to Cape Town City.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-1 Cape Town City
Date: 25 May 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
The champions came into the game with two absentees as midfielders Marcelo Allende and Sphelele Mkhulise missed out through suspension after accumulation of yellow cards.
The Citizens, meanwhile, were without Aprocius Petrus Petrus, Tahir Goedeman and Thabo Nodada, while Thabiso Kutumela is not eligible to play against his parent club.
Rulani Mokwena's charges dominated in the early stages but it was City who had the first big chance when Khanyiso Mayo headed wide of the target at the far post.
The Citizens, meanwhile, were forced to make a change after 27 minutes as Thakgalo Leshabela as forced off with an injury and replaced by Relebogile Mokhuoane in the midfield.
Other than a couple snapshots on the edge of the box, Sundowns were unable to carve out any serous chances to trouble City goalkeeper Darren Keet.
It was more of the same in the second period, which prompted coach Mokwena to introduce Teboho Mokoena and Matías Esquivel for Tashreeq Matthews and Lebohang Maboe ten minutes after the break.
However, it was City who broke the deadlock on 60 minutes as Jaedin Rhodes took possession off Mothobi Mvala to go clear on goal and calmly slot into the far corner.
The Brazilians are now unable to break Kaizer Chiefs' record of least amount of goals conceded in one season (11), but they were able to match it with their record this term.
Unfortunately, Sundowns were unable to get themselves back on level terms and could not get the "Invincibles" tag after losing their first league game of the season.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudua, Lebusa, Mvala, Zungu, Coetzee, Maboe, Zwane, Matthews, Mabena, Morena
Subs: D.Onyango, Lunga, Mdunyelwa, Mokoena, Mbule, Mendieta, Maema, Esquivel, Ribeiro
Cape Town City: Keet, Fisher, Gordinho, Cupido, Slatsha, Leshabela, Heaven, Nyama, Rhodes, Mayo, Gonzalez
Subs: Mpandle, Ramazani, Mokhuoane, Sifumba, Ah Shene, April, Paciencia, Daniels, Dondolo
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