Teboho Mokoena and Nuno Santos of Mamelodi Sundowns challenge Athini Maqokolo of AmaZulu FC during the Betway Premiership at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday night.
Image: BackpagePix
AmaZulu (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1
Orlando Pirates were sitting in their living rooms watching split-screen broadcasts on Tuesday night as the Betway Premiership title race lit up when contenders and rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns took to the field.
Sundowns, looking to cash up on their game in hand and return to the summit of the log table, took the fight to Durban against AmaZulu, where they won 1-0, courtesy of a Marcel Allende strike in the 84th minute.
Chiefs meanwhile, welcomed Stellenbosch in a grudge match at FNB Stadium.
Chiefs had an additional incentive riding on the match: a win against Gavin Hunt’s Stellies would kill two birds with one stone. It would provide revenge for their Nedbank Cup knockout in Cape Town a fortnight ago and offer a much-needed morale boost ahead of the highly anticipated first Soweto derby of the 2025/2026 season.
A win in Durban for Sundowns was going to go a long way towards alleviating the pressure on their shoulders ahead of a congested schedule next month, with the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League looming.
And for sure Miguel Cardoso and his Sundowns side went to Durban with their tails up because of their record against Usuthu.
In recent seasons Sundowns have dominated meetings between the two sides — often with minimal fuss.
Sundowns have won the last five meetings against AmaZulu, keeping five consecutive clean sheets in the process as the Durbanites have failed to score against the Brazilians since 2023, conceding nine goals across that run.
Earlier this season, Sundowns claimed two 2–0 league victories over Usuthu, continuing a pattern that dates back to 2024, where they also recorded 3–0 and 1–0 wins.
However, Arthur Zwane's AmaZulu were not going to make it that easy as they held their keeping scores level at 0-0 beyond the hour mark.
In fact, the most clear cut chance for goal fell for the home side halfway through the first stanza as Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya received a neat square ball from his skipper Riaan Hanamub, only to send his shot straight to Ronwen Williams.
The introduction of Allende midway the second half brought some preciseness into Sundowns playing style as the Chilean finally found the winning goal.
AmaZulu failed yet again to score against Sundowns. The Tshwane side recorded another win against Usuthu and returning to the summit of the table as Pirates went for the remote opting to rather take solace in Chiefs' wounds as they lost 2-0 ahead of the Saturday showdown.