Mamelodi Sundowns convincingly defeated a 10-man Kaizer Chiefs 5-1 at the FNB Stadium on Thursday night, clinching their seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title.
Tashreeq Matthews (twice), Matias Esquivel, Lucas Ribeiro, and Thembinkosi Lorch all found the net in the second half, sealing the victory and ensuring their unassailable lead at the top of the table. This win marked their 17th championship overall, achieved with six games remaining in the season, and they aim to finish the Premiership season unbeaten.
Their dominance extends to a remarkable 48-match unbeaten streak across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns. Kaizer Chiefs, on the other hand, suffered their fourth defeat in five league matches, leaving them in eighth place, barely clinging to the top half of the division based on goal difference alone.
The match started with Chiefs displaying more attacking initiative, but a red card for Given Msimango in the 19th minute shifted the momentum in Sundowns’ favor. Sundowns controlled possession for the remainder of the first half, with Chiefs unable to capitalize on a late chance.
In the second half, Sundowns intensified their efforts, with Matthews and Esquivel scoring within minutes of each other to establish a comfortable lead. Despite Chiefs pulling one back through Mduduzi Shabalala’s penalty, Sundowns sealed the victory with two late goals from Ribeiro and Lorch.
Sundowns’ next fixture is in the Nedbank Cup semifinal against Stellenbosch FC, while Chiefs will face TS Galaxy in their next league match.
