Downs, who need one more point to mathematically secure the championship, take on Chippa United on Wednesday.
Mamelodi Sundowns have all-but claimed an eighth successive Betway Premiership title following a 3-0 win over Stellenbosch FC at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Brazilians raced to a 3-0 lead inside the opening 17 minutes of the game with Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales all on the scoresheet.
Stellies simply didn’t turn up in the opening half against a rampant Sundowns side that took the lead as early as the 6th minute through Ribeiro, who registered his 14th goal of the campaign. The Brazilian attacker rifled the ball into the roof of the net from an indirect free kick inside the box.
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Ribeiro turned provider six minutes later as he teed up Rayners with a clever threaded ball inside the box. The diminutive striker scored against his former team and notched up his 13th league goal of the season with a first-time shot to put the home team 2-0 up.
It went from bad to worse for Steve Barker’s charges after Sales put the result beyond doubt in the 17th minute via a deflected shot. His tame effort came off Stellenbosch defender Thabo Moloisane’s outstretched foot and rolled into the bottom corner past a helpless Oscarine Masuluke.
The result put Masandawana on the brink of a record-extending eighth league crown with two matches remaining. The Tshwane giants have accumulated 67 points, which essentially guarantees them the 2024–25 league honours.
Second-placed Orlando Pirates can also reach 67 if they win their remaining five matches, but Sundowns have a superior goal difference of 47 compared to the Buccaneers’ 19.
Downs, who need one more point to mathematically secure the championship, take on Chippa United on Wednesday. However, if Pirates fail to beat Golden Arrows on Tuesday, Sundowns could officially be crowned champions before they even kick a ball in their next match.
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With three goals on the scoreboard, Sundowns took their foot off the pedal in the second half as they knocked the ball around without an end product. The side from the Cape Windlelands remain in fourth position with 44 points after 26 matches.
