Mamelodi Sundowns further solidified their dominance at the top of the Betway Premiership standings with a resilient 3-1 comeback victory over Marumo Gallants on Wednesday.
The match initially saw Sundowns trailing 1-0 at halftime, with Gallants taking the lead in the 37th minute courtesy of a header from Sede Dion.
Miguel Cardoso’s side, however, showed their championship credentials by a spirited performance in the second stanza. Marcelo Allende was the first to open the scoring for the Pretoria-based outfit, finding the back of the net early in the second half to draw level.
The Brazilians pushed for another and found the breakthrough as Lucas Ribeiro struck in the 79th minute to put Sundowns ahead for the first time on the night. With the game entering it’s closing minutes, Iqraam Rayners sealed the comeback victory with a composed goal, ensuring all three points for his team.
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Sundowns started the match with intent, with Teboho Mokoena coming close in the second minute, firing just wide of the post. Rayners also had an opportunity six minutes later, heading the ball over the bar.
Jayden Adams nearly found the net in the 20th minute, guiding Allende’s cross just over the bar, and Ribeiro tested Arubi with a shot in the 31st minute following a neat combination with Allende.
Arubi was busy again three minutes later, diving to deny Allende’s driven effort. His heroics were crucial, as Gallants managed to take the lead in the 37th minute. Dion capitalized on a perfectly placed free-kick from Daniel Msendami, heading the ball past Denis Onyango into the net.
Sundowns nearly equalized just before halftime, with Ribeiro’s first-time shot going just wide in the 41st minute. In the second half, the visitors came out strong, and six minutes in, Allende equalized with a clinical finish into the bottom corner after receiving the ball from Rayners.
Sundowns kept up the pressure as they sought a second goal, with Ribeiro narrowly missing in the 59th minute and Rayners shooting straight at Arubi from a tight angle in the 64th minute.
Arubi then produced another fine save in the 70th minute to deny Allende’s powerful strike, but he could do nothing to stop Ribeiro in the 79th minute. The Brazilian controlled a cross from Arthur Sales before calmly slotting the ball home.
Rayners sealed the win just two minutes later, slotting in the rebound after his initial shot was saved by Arubi. The match ended with Sundowns down to 10 men after Onyango was sent off in the dying moments for picking up two quick yellow cards.
This crucial win extends Sundowns’ lead to 12 points over second-placed Orlando Pirates, who had their match against Golden Arrows postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. On the other hand, Marumo Gallants are left reeling, having now suffered three consecutive losses, and remain in a perilous 14th position, just above the relegation zone.