Betway Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns maintain lead at top

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 TS Galaxy

Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership standings after edging TS Galaxy 1-0 in a tense encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Substitute Arthur Sales delivered the decisive moment just after the hour mark, ensuring the defending champions maintained their lead at the summit of the table.

Both sides began brightly, trading early chances in an open first half. Peter Shalulile had the first real opportunity in the fifth minute, firing narrowly over the bar with a half-volley. Soon after, Tashreeq Matthews tested Ira Tape with a long-range drive that drifted wide, while Galaxy responded through the lively Puso Dithejane, whose cross nearly found the on-form forward Mory Keita before Khuliso Mudau intervened.

Sundowns thought they had finally broken the deadlock midway through the half when Shalulile tucked in from close range, but the referee's whistle had already sounded for a foul in the build-up. Galaxy grew into the contest as halftime approached, forcing goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a series of crucial saves to deny Igor Salatiel Silva and Junior Zindoga.

While Williams was in fine form for the hosts, his opposite number, Ira Tape, was equally impressive, pulling off a superb stop to keep out Teboho Mokoena's powerful strike late in the first half. Both goalkeepers ensured the sides went into the break goalless despite several clear openings.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 61st minute through inspired substitutions from coach Miguel Cardoso. Arthur Sales, introduced after halftime, latched onto a precise pass from fellow substitute Iqraam Rayners and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Masandawana a deserved lead.

Rayners nearly turned scorer moments later but sent his shot over the crossbar after another slick move from the home side. From there, Sundowns controlled possession and managed the tempo, with Williams again standing tall to preserve his eighth clean sheet across all competitions this season.

With the win, the Brazilians made sure they are still three points clear of Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. However, Pirates have two games in hand and Chiefs have one game in hand over the Brazilians with both Soweto giants on 22 points. Pirates beat Arrows 3-1 - also on Wednesday evening - while the Amakhosi thumped Orbit College 4-1 on Tuesday evening.

Stellenbosch FC 0-2 Siwelele FC

Siwelele FC continued their resurgence with a convincing 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium.

Goals from Tebogo Potsane and Siviwe Magidigidi secured the Bloemfontein side's second consecutive victory moving them up to 10th place with 14 points from 12 matches.

The visitors struck early, with Potsane converting a low cross from Magidigidi in the third minute to stun the hosts. Stellies gradually regained composure but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the first half. Siwelele came close to doubling the lead before the break, with Grant Margeman forcing a sharp save from Sage Stephens and Vincent Pule narrowly missing from the edge of the box.

Just minutes into the second half, the Free State outfit doubled their advantage as Potsane set up Magidigidi, who rounded Stephens to score into an empty net. Despite late pressure from the hosts, including a corner that hit the woodwork, Siwelele's defence held firm to claim all three points.

Durban City 1-0 Marumo Gallants

Durban City returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Chatsworth Stadium.

Haashim Domingo's composed finish in the 79th minute secured the hosts' fourth league win of the season and ended a three-match losing run.

The first half was cagey, with both sides creating few clear-cut chances. City dominated possession but struggled to convert, while Gallants stayed compact and threatened on the counter. Bokang Mokwena set up an early opportunity for Domingo before halftime, but Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi was equal to the effort.

The breakthrough finally came late in the second half when Samkelo Maseko played a precise through ball to Domingo, who calmly slotted past Arubi. Despite some late pressure from the visitors, the KZN side held firm to claim all three points.

The result lifts the Durbanites into the top eight, giving Gavin Hunt's side a timely boost ahead of the international break as they aim to maintain momentum in the second half of the season.

READ MORE: Orlando Pirates down Golden Arrows to move back to second spot