The pendulum has swung back to Chloorkop. Mamelodi Sundowns officially returned to the top of the Betway Premiership table on Tuesday night, securing a vital 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld.
The win—Sundowns’ eighth consecutive league victory—puts them in the driver’s seat of the title race, moving them two points clear of Orlando Pirates with a clinical display of squad depth and tactical second-half adjustments.
A War of Attrition at Loftus
Sundowns entered the match facing a minor personnel crisis, with key figures Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, and Jayden Adams out via suspension, and Thapelo Morena sidelined by injury. This forced a reshuffled starting XI featuring the likes of Zuko Mduneyelwa, Keagan Johannes, and Miguel Reisinho.
- The Opener: The deadlock was broken in fortunate fashion when Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya inadvertently headed a Marcelo Allende free-kick into his own net.
- The Equalizer: Gallants refused to lie down. Five minutes before the break, a handball by Nuno Santos handed a penalty to the visitors, which Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo converted with ice-cold composure to level the score at 1-1.
The Mokoena Masterclass
The game shifted decisively at halftime when Teboho Mokoena replaced Reisinho. The Bafana Bafana midfield general took control of the proceedings:
- The Lead: Just after the hour mark, Mokoena started a move in the center of the park and finished it himself to restore the 2-1 lead.
- The Cushion: As the game opened up in the final stages, Mokoena struck again, securing his brace and ensuring all three points stayed in Pretoria.
The Title Race Standings
With nine matches remaining for most teams, the psychological advantage has shifted back to the defending champions.
| Club | Points | Position | Gap |
| Mamelodi Sundowns | 51 | 1st | +2 |
| Orlando Pirates | 49 | 2nd | – |
| Marumo Gallants | 18 | 14th | Danger Zone |
Note: Gallants remain 14th, hovering just two points above bottom-placed Magesi.
