Mamelodi Sundowns clutch 7th consecutive league title

Mamelodi Sundowns have won their record-extending seventh consecutive Premier Soccer League title, and they did it in fine-style last night.

The Brazilians thumped a 10-man Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 at Soccer City last night to take an unassailable lead in the league.

The Amakhosi were at a disadvantage for most of the match after Spiwe Msimango received a red card in the 19th minute.

At half time the game was still deadlock after no team managed to score in the first stanza.

Tashreeq Matthews opened the scoring in the 56th minute before Matias Esquivel doubled the lead just four minutes later.

In the 82nd minute Matthews completed his brace, while moments later Mdudzi Shabalala got the Glamour Boys on the scoreboard with a penalty.

To add insult to injury, Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Thembonkosi Lorch each found the back of the net in the dying moments of the game to clinch the league title in fine-style.

The title means that Downs have now won the league a record 14-times. Over the last ten years Sundowns has won the league a staggering eight times, while Chiefs won in 2014/15, while Wits claimed the title in 2016/17.

It’s also crazy to think that Sundowns still have six leagues games left to play and they are still unbeaten.

The Sundowns coach, Rhulani Mokwena, said winning the league in the way they did was special.

“The Sundowns supporters must enjoy it and they deserve it because they have supported this group through thick and thin.

“To win the title against a very strong rival at the Calabash, I don’t remember when last the team has managed to dominate Kaizer Chiefs not just in the scoreline but also in the play.

“It’s a big credit to this group of players.”

Meanwhile, tomorrow at 15:00, Chippa United will face Orlando Pirates in the first semi-final of the Nedbank Cup, while on Sunday at 15:00 Stellenbosch FC will take on Downs in the second semi.