Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first win of the Betway Premiership season after defeating AmaZulu FC 2-0 on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 AmaZulu FC
Date: 12 August 2025
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Brazilians coach Miguel Cardoso handed starts to Themba Zwane, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Zuko Mdunyelwa and Keanu Cupido following the draw with Chippa United over the weekend, while Usuthu were unchanged from their win over Orbit College.
Usuthu were in confident mood heading into the clash, which nearly resulted in an early goal when Tebogo Mashigo did well to pick out the run of Hendrick Ekstein, who sent his volley wide of Ronwen Williams' goal.
Sundowns, meanwhile, were patient in their approach in the first half and had to wait until the midway period for an opening at goal, with striker Arthur Sales seeing his strike turned away by Usuthu goalkeeper Darren Johnson.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half as the AmaZulu defence did well to frustrate the Sundowns attackers in the final third, as dead-ball situations looked to be the likely source for a goal.
Cardoso made two changes at the start of the second half as Divine Lunga and Letlhaku made way for Tashreeq Matthews and Aubrey Modiba to freshen up the attack.
The changes paid off for the defending league champions as Matthews turned provider eight minutes after the break to pick out Iqraam Rayners, who sent a first-time volley past Johnson for his first league goal of the campaign.
Matthews continued providing a big threat down the flank after his arrival, with the winger carving out another chance for Rayners in the box but the striker was unable to keep his header on target with around 20 minutes left on the clock.
Sundowns went on to seal the game on 90 minutes as Matthews got his name on the score-sheet with a close-range finish after being set-up by Sales.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 28. Mdunyelwa, 20. Kekana, 48. Cupido, 29. Lunga, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 43. Letlhaku, 18. Zwane, 9. Sales, 13. Rayners
Subs: 14. Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 6. Modiba, 23. Basadien, 8. Adams, 21. Mkhulise, 22. Mabena, 77. Matthews, 38. Shalulile
AmaZulu: 16. Johnson, 14. Radebe, 42. Mthethwa, 12. Fielies, 5. Allan, 4. Hanamub, 6. Hlangabeza, 34. Zungu, 20. Mashigo, 23. Ngwenya, 27. Ekstein
Subs: 1. Mzimela, 35. Mzobe, 25. Dube, 8. Motshwari, 15. Mbanjwa, 11. Sithole, 36. Ngcobo, 22. Thabede, 9. Moon
