Mamelodi Sundowns made a significant statement in the Betway Premiership with a commanding 3-0 victory over Cape Town City FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
This performance comes as a much-needed boost following their recent setback against Polokwane City FC.
The star of the evening was Peter Shalulile, who netted two goals, showcasing his impressive skills on the pitch.
Williams’ Triumphant Return
In a notable development, Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made his return to the starting lineup.
He had missed the previous match due to his attendance at the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards in France, where he was nominated for the Yashin Award, recognizing him as one of the world’s top ten goalkeepers.
The ceremony took place on October 28 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, although the award ultimately went to Argentinian keeper Emiliano Martinez.
Williams was honored to finish ninth in the final rankings for Best Goalkeeper 2024.
Injury Woes for Sundowns
Despite the victory, Sundowns faced challenges with several key players sidelined due to injuries.
Five notable absences included Siyabonga Mabena, Tashreeq Matthews, Keagan Johannes, Themba Zwane, and Lesiba Nku.
Their absence posed a hurdle, yet the team managed to rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance.
Scoring Highlights
The match began with a breakthrough as Peter Shalulile scored in the 16th minute, giving Sundowns an early lead.
Just before halftime, Lucas Ribeiro doubled the advantage with a well-placed goal.
Shalulile wasn’t done yet; he completed his brace in the 52nd minute, sealing the deal for Sundowns and ensuring they walked away with all three points.
Red Card Drama
The game saw some intense moments, particularly when Cape Town City’s Aprocius Petrus was shown a red card in the 80th minute after receiving two yellow cards.
This dismissal added further difficulty for Cape Town City as they struggled to make an impact in the closing stages.
Current Standings
Following this match, Mamelodi Sundowns now sits in second place on the Betway Premiership table with 15 points, just three points behind the leaders, Orlando Pirates.
On the other hand, Cape Town City finds itself in a challenging position, ranked 13th with only five points from their first five games.
What’s Next?
As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Sundowns maintain their momentum and if Cape Town City can turn their fortunes around in the upcoming fixtures.
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