Mamelodi Sundowns moved closer to securing the Betway Premiership title with a 3-0 win over Stellenbosch FC on Sunday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Stellenbosch FC
Date: 11 May 2025
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Miguel Cardoso made two changes from the 3-0 win over Chippa United on Wednesday, as Lucas Costa Ribeiro and Grant Kekana were recalled.
The hosts got off to the perfect start on six minutes when Lucas Costa Ribeiro slammed home from an indirect free-kick in the box after goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke handled a back-pass in the 18 yard area.
The lead was doubled in the 12th minute as Ribeiro turned provider to play in Iqraam Rayners with a lovely reverse pass, before the former Stellenbosch striker rifled the ball home for his 13th league goal.
Sundowns bagged the third goal five minutes later as Arthur Sales got his name on the score-sheet with a deflected effort, as the Cape Winelands outfit had no reply for the Tshwane giants.
Steve Barker's men nearly pulled one back after 32 minutes when Devin Titus was slipped through on goal, however the team's top scorer could only fire into the side-netting with Denis Onyango to beat as they went into the break trailing by three goals.
Stellenbosch were a lot more compact in the second period and saw more of the ball, but they were unable to find a way past Onyango despite the best efforts from Andre de Jong and Lesiba Nku.
With Sundowns comfortably leading, coach Cardoso opted for a double change as Themba Zwane and Sphelele Mkhulise replaced Tashreeq Matthews and Teboho Mokoena for the final 25 minutes.
The league leaders managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease to secure the win and a clean sheet.
As a result, Sundowns have now moved 15 points clear of second-place Orlando Pirates, who still have three games in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. Onyango, 4. Mokoena, 42. Khoza, 20. Kekana, 6. Modiba, 44. Adams, 10. Ribeiro, 25. Mudau, 17. Matthews, 13. Rayners, 9. Sales
Subs: 36. February, 32. Suarez, 27. Morena, 14. Mashego, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 18. Zwane, 7. Esquivel, 33. Maseko
Stellenbosch FC: 30. Masuluke, 16. Enyinnaya, 45. Toure, 24. Moloisane, 21. Basadien, 28. Palace, 8. Nduli, 19. Khiba, 34. Titus, 18. De Jong, 5. Lekoloane
Subs: 35. Langeveldt, 26. Mcaba, 2. Onyango, 15. Butsaka, 6. Jurgens, 27. Jabaar, 20. Barns, 7. Nku, 12. Mini
