Wednesday night at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns defeated the home team Polokwane City 2-0 to begin the new DStv Premiership season with a sixth straight victory.
The Brazilians, who now have a club record winning start to a league campaign of six matches—just two short of the overall record of eight, set by Kaizer Chiefs in 2014–15—opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table (having played a game more). Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored both goals for the Brazilians.
The Chiefs’ record of 31 consecutive victories in league play, achieved in 2005, is also within reach for the Tshwane giants, who need only one more game.
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Their most recent Premiership loss came on September 2, 2022, to neighbourhood rivals SuperSport United, or over a year ago.
With three losses in their last five games, Rise and Shine are now in eighth place, with a probable drop to ninth depending on results later on Wednesday.
Early on, Sundowns established a rhythm and started to put pressure on Polokwane’s defence. As a result, Marcelo Allende was tripped up by Bulelani Nikani, resulting in a penalty for Sundowns.
In the 12th minute, Lucas Ribeiro Costa stepped up and scored from the penalty spot to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Brazilians had a fantastic opportunity to double their lead midway through the first half when Ribeiro Costa rounded Polokwane goalie Lindokuhle Mathebula and selflessly squared for Neo Maema. However, a desperate challenge from Tholo Matuludi denied a second goal.
Ten minutes later, Rivaldo Coetzee, who had received Allende’s free kick, attempted a glancing header, but Mathebula made a quick stop to prevent it.
Sundowns continued to exert offensive pressure, but they were unable to score a second goal before halftime.
Themba Zwane’s strong shot from the right of the penalty area was brilliantly saved by Mathebula, but Ribeiro Costa quickly followed and easily scored from close range for a 2-0 lead for the defending champions in the final five minutes of the half.
The next DStv Premiership encounter for Sundowns is against Orlando Pirates on September 19, while Polokwane’s next league game is against Sekhukhune United two days earlier.