In a remarkable feat, Brazilian footballer Lucas Ribeiro emerged as the hero for Mamelodi Sundowns, scoring two crucial goals that extended their unbeaten run in the South African Premiership to a staggering 30 matches.
The Sundowns secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Polokwane City on a Wednesday evening.
Sundowns’ Astonishing Unbeaten Run
The Mamelodi Sundowns, a club boasting a record 13 South African Premiership championships, have not tasted defeat since September 2 of the previous season, a memorable day when they succumbed 2-1 to SuperSport United in a high-stakes Pretoria derby.
This victory against Polokwane City marked their sixth consecutive win since the commencement of the current season, propelling them eight points clear of their closest rivals, Golden Arrows and SuperSport United.
Ribeiro Shines Bright for Sundowns
Lucas Ribeiro, a recent addition to the Sundowns squad, having arrived mid-year from Belgian club SK Beveren, showcased his scoring prowess once again.
His performance, consisting of two goals in this match, makes him an early frontrunner for the Premiership Golden Boot award.
His first goal came from the spot, calmly converting a 12th-minute penalty.
The second goal followed five minutes into the second half, as he capitalized on a rebound from goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula, tapping the ball into the net following a Themba Zwane shot.
Mokwena’s Assessment
Despite the impressive victory, Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena remained critical of his team’s performance in Polokwane.
He emphasized that his squad should have scored more goals and cited finishing as an area needing improvement.
Nevertheless, he found solace in their defensive display, noting that Polokwane City had failed to muster any clear scoring chances against his side.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Resurgence
In a separate encounter, the resurgence of Kaizer Chiefs continued as they secured a 2-0 triumph over Stellenbosch in Cape Town.
The winning goals came in the second half, with Pule Mmodi and Congolese player Christian Saile each finding the back of the net.
This marked Kaizer Chiefs’ second consecutive victory after a slow start to the season, where they had managed only one point from three league matches.
The win propelled them to fifth place in the standings, just one spot behind their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates.
Controversy Surrounding Orlando Pirates’ Win
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates achieved a 2-0 victory over Cape Town City in Soweto.
However, the game was marred by controversy surrounding the second goal, which was credited to Patrick Maswanganyi.
The Cape Town City coach, Eric Tinkler, voiced his discontent, arguing that the ball had not crossed the line, and called for the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology in South African football.
In conclusion, these matches in the South African Premiership have provided moments of triumph and controversy, further fueling the excitement and debates that surround the beautiful game in the country.
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