Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns Facebook
In their relentless pursuit of glory, the 2023/24 DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns are poised to shatter the highest points record as the league reaches its climax.
The Brazilians stand tall on the log with 69 points, with possible nine to collect.
Masandawana clashed swords with Royal AM, securing a decisive 2 – 0 victory on Tuesday evening at Harry Gwala Stadium.
It was a spectacle of Peter Shalulile’s audacious bicycle kick finish at the 41st minute, breaking the deadlock.
Lesiba Nku added to the onslaught with a strike at the 74th minute, doubling the efforts and sealing Royal’s fate.
Shalulile reignited his scoring prowess and unveiled a new celebration, sprinting while alternating foot strikes like a joyful Impala.
The result marked Sundowns’ second triumph over Royal AM in the span of just two days, following a previous victory with a single goal.
The defeat plunges Royal AM further into the depths of the relegation zone, as the Thwihli Thwahla side now languish in 14th place, with only two points separating them from Richards Bay, who revived their hopes of avoiding the promotion playoffs with a win over Orlando Pirates.
Royal AM’s woes are compounded by a dismal run of four consecutive losses and one draw in their last five fixtures.
SUNDOWNS UNBEATEN STREAK
Meanwhile, Sundowns’ victory extends their unbeaten streak in the DStv Premiership to an astonishing 51 games.
Head Coach Rulani Mokwena’s ambition to surpass his predecessor’s record of 71 points looms large on the horizon.
Under former head coach Pitso Mosimane, the Brazilians achieved this feat in the 2015/2016 season.
Last season, Mokwena came agonizingly close, falling just one point short of breaking the record when Sundowns finished with 70 points.
Reflecting on the posibility, Mokwena remarked, “But it’s not just about the points for the Brazilians; we aim to finish the season as the invincibles, unbeaten till the end.”
Despite facing logistical challenges, with the team unable to train after their previous encounter due to flight delays, Mokwena exuded confidence at the adaptability of his squad.
Sundowns will on Saturday, 18 May travel to Stellenbosch FC, who are eager to avenge their Nedbank Cup semi-final exit at the hands of the Brazilians.
Stellenbosch also aim to solidify their second position, as they cling to a narrow one-point lead over the Buccaneers who lost to Richards Bay.
Stellenbosch have 50 points and only two games remaining before the season’s end. It promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Anyway, Stellenbosch managed to secure a berth to play continental football despite failing to win their last two league games, including losing 2-0 to Moroka Swallows last Saturday.
That defeat was their first one in the PSL since October 2023 before they went for 19 games unbeaten.