Mamelodi Sundowns recovered from another shaky defensive display to beat TS Galaxy 3-2 in dramatic fashion, with Sphelele Mkhulise scoring twice in the closing stages to spare Miguel Cardoso’s side from a second successive setback.
Cardoso responded to the defensive concerns raised by Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final against Polokwane City by introducing Malibongwe Khoza in a youthful back line alongside Kegan Johannes, while Brayan León and Nuno Santos made their first appearances of the new season.
León made an immediate impact. The Colombian striker, who scored 10 goals in 15 league matches last season, needed only six minutes to open his account when he converted a penalty after Junior Zindoga brought down Tashreeq Matthews in the area.
Sundowns controlled possession from the outset and looked considerably more secure than in their defeat at Mbombela last season. Yet their own error handed Galaxy a route back into the contest.
READ: Betway Premiership: Polokwane City and Stellenbosch play out six-goal thriller
Santos surrendered possession cheaply near his own penalty area, allowing Tshepo Kakora to release Victor Letsoalo, who finished calmly through Ronwen Williams’s legs.
Cardoso reacted at half-time by withdrawing Santos after 45 difficult minutes and introducing youngster Bennet Mokoena, who had impressed against Polokwane at the weekend.
As Galaxy retreated deeper, Sundowns threw on further attacking reinforcements. Mkhulise and Cassius Mailula replaced Antonio van Wyk and Gomolemo Kekana with half an hour remaining, but the visitors struck again from a familiar source.
Cardoso had complained about set-piece defending after the Polokwane match, yet Sundowns were exposed once more when Mpho Mvelase’s free-kick found an unmarked Letsoalo, whose header flew into the bottom corner.
The champions eventually produced the response expected of them. Mkhulise’s deflected strike hauled Sundowns level before the midfielder completed the comeback deep into stoppage time, turning in Khuliso Mudau’s low cross to secure a 3-2 victory and preserve Cardoso’s unbeaten start to the new campaign.