Sundowns Beat AmaZulu: Allende Scores Late | PSL Highlights & Updates
PRETORIA, South Africa – Mamelodi Sundowns secured their first victory of the 2025-26 Betway Premiership season with a 2-0 defeat of AmaZulu at Loftus Versfeld on . Goals from Iqraam Rayners and Tashreeq Matthews sealed the win for the defending champions, though the match unfolded as a contest of two distinct halves.
Usuthu, as AmaZulu are known, created the clearer opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya was unable to capitalize on a promising run and pass from Riaan Hanamub, miscuing his effort on goal. Sundowns, while dominating possession, struggled to translate that control into genuine scoring chances. Youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku showed flashes of potential but was hampered by inconsistent finishing and decision-making.
The complexion of the match shifted decisively after the interval. Sundowns emerged with a more assured performance, and the breakthrough arrived in the through Iqraam Rayners. The goal injected confidence into the Brazilians and visibly deflated AmaZulu’s earlier momentum.
Matthews, introduced as a substitute, played a key role in Sundowns’ second goal. He first provided an assist before adding his name to the scoresheet in stoppage time, effectively ending AmaZulu’s hopes of a comeback. The final scoreline of 2-0 reflected Sundowns’ improved performance in the second half.
Despite the win, Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi may be concerned by the team’s lack of creativity in the first half, particularly the continued absence of Lucas Ribeiro, who was absent for a third successive match. The team’s performance relied more on individual moments than a cohesive tactical approach, a point that will likely be addressed in training.
The victory moves Mamelodi Sundowns into contention at the top of the Betway Premiership standings. As of , they are level on points with Orlando Pirates, who also have 4 points, and Sekhukhune United with 4 points. The league table shows a tight competition at the top, with Kaizer Chiefs and AmaZulu also in the mix.
Marcelo Allende also scored a goal in a separate match, handing Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win over Amazulu, sending them to the top of the table. This win further solidifies Sundowns’ position as a leading contender in the league.
The match at Loftus Versfeld saw Sundowns field a starting eleven including Williams, Lunga, Kekana, Cupido, Mdunyelwa, Zwane, Mokoena, Allende, Arthur, Rayners, and Letlhaku. Substitutions included Mabena, Mkhulise, Basadien, Onyango, and Matthews, with Matthews making a significant impact off the bench.
AmaZulu’s lineup included a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, but they were ultimately unable to break down Sundowns’ defense. The match statistics highlighted Sundowns’ dominance in possession (79.9% to 20.1%), but AmaZulu’s early chances demonstrated their attacking threat.
Looking ahead, Mamelodi Sundowns will aim to build on this victory and maintain their momentum in the Betway Premiership. The absence of Lucas Ribeiro remains a concern, and the team will need to find a way to unlock their creative potential consistently. AmaZulu, meanwhile, will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities if they are to challenge for a top-four finish.
The win over AmaZulu represents a crucial first step for Sundowns in their title defense. While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, the team has demonstrated its ability to grind out results and secure important victories, even when not at their best. The league season is still in its early stages, but this win provides a solid foundation for Sundowns to build upon.