Sundowns rout sorry Siwelele to pull six points clear of Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns have moved six points ahead of Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) following a 3-0 win over Siwelele FC at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

Sundowns turned on the style in the second half with Teboho Mokoena, Siyanda Ndlovu and Tashreeq Matthews providing the magic, as Miguel Cardoso’s side extended their unbeaten run at home to 33 league matches.

The Brazilians missed a couple of chances in the first half, the first falling to Cassius Mailula, who missed from close range in the box, while Bryan Leon, who is normally very clinical, surprisingly failed to beat the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.

After the goalless first half, Sundowns came into the second one with vigour. Cardoso first took off Khulumani Ndamane, who had been cautioned in the first half, for Mothobi Mvala, the defender playing his first match since September 14, 2025, having been kept out by injuries.

Sundowns turn on the style in second half

However, it was at the other end of the pitch where Sundowns showed their quality as Kutlwano Letlhaku weaved his way past three players before firing low but his effort went just wide.

What Sundowns were waiting for would arrive in the 58^th minute and while it was Letlhaku whose name the goal was credited to, all the work was done by Mokoena.

The midfielder received the ball just outside the box and curled in an unstoppable shot which hit the crossbar with Siwelele goalkeeper Gift Mthombeni getting a slight touch just before it bounced out and Letlhaku reacted quickly to direct it into an empty net.

Ndlovu then had a good opportunity after cutting in from the left but seeing his cutback cleared by the Siwelele defence while Aubrey Modiba nearly scored from a 70^th minute freekick which missed the top corner by inches.

Kutlwano Letlhaku's quick reactions hand Mamelodi Sundowns the breakthrough🟡🆙#SSDiski | #SSFootball | #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/utwaoiaSTp

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 9, 2026

Brazilians move further away from Pirates

Nine minutes later, Sundowns were celebrating the second goal when Ndlovu capitalised on a defensive mistake. Under pressure in the box, Aphiwe Baliti attempted to pass back to Mthombeni but his pass lacked the power and Ndlovu moved quickly to steal it and fire home before it could reach the goalkeeper.

It turned from bad to worse for winless Siwelele as substitute Tashreeq Matthews scored the third in stoppage time. The forward made a good move forward, getting in between the two Siwelele centre-backs to receive a good pass from Malibongwe Khoza and fire past an onrushing Mthombeni to complete the rout.

Sundowns now lead the standings with 19 points from seven games, six more than second-placed Pirates, who have played two games less, while Siwelele are now second from bottom after two draws and four defeats.