Allende strike edges Sundowns past Polokwane, opens two-point lead at top

Key facts

• Mamelodi Sundowns beat Polokwane City 1-0 on March 12, 2025 at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
• Marcelo Allende scored the only goal in the 61st minute, assisted by substitute Lebo Mothiba.
• Sundowns have 61 points from 26 matches, two points ahead of Orlando Pirates.
• Polokwane City had frustrated Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in recent weeks before this match.
• Sundowns drew their previous two league games against Stellenbosch FC and Richards Bay.
• Sundowns missed a penalty in the 73rd minute when Lebo Mothiba's Panenka was saved by Lindokuhle Mathebula.
• Sapholwethu Kelepu had a goal disallowed for offside early in the first half.

A hard-fought breakthrough in the title race

Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City on Wednesday night, a result that restored their two-point lead at the summit of the Premier Soccer League standings. The win, secured by Marcelo Allende’s second-half strike, took the Tshwane giants to 61 points from 26 matches, two clear of Orlando Pirates, who now trail the reigning champions as the season enters its decisive final stretch. Yet the scoreline belied the difficulty of the contest. Sundowns had drawn back-to-back league matches against Stellenbosch FC and Richards Bay, raising questions about their momentum heading into the run-in. Polokwane City, coached by Phuti Mohafe, arrived with confidence of their own and once again proved to be difficult opposition, having already frustrated both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in recent weeks.

First-half stalemate as Polokwane hold firm

Sundowns started with intent, introducing Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile into the lineup, but struggled to break down a disciplined and compact Polokwane defence. City even thought they had made a dream start when Sapholwethu Kelepu found the net early on, only to be denied by an offside flag. Much of the first half saw the hosts sit deep, absorbing pressure and looking to strike on the counter, while Sundowns dominated possession without creating clear openings. Shalulile came closest just before half-time, firing narrowly wide from a promising position. After the break, Sundowns increased their intensity, with Zwane testing Lindokuhle Mathebula from a tight angle, while Polokwane responded through Sibusiso Tshabalala, whose header was comfortably saved by Ronwen Williams.

Cardoso's substitutions turn the tide

With the game still goalless approaching the hour mark, coach Miguel Cardoso turned to his bench, introducing Lebo Mothiba and Tashreeq Matthews in place of Zwane and Shalulile. The changes had an immediate effect. Within a minute of coming on, Mothiba combined smartly on the edge of the area to set up Allende, who drilled a low, powerful effort into the bottom corner to give Sundowns the breakthrough. The goal shifted momentum decisively in favour of the visitors, who began to control proceedings and push for a second. They were handed a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the 73rd minute after a foul on Khulumani Ndamane resulted in a penalty, but Mothiba's tame Panenka attempt was saved by Mathebula, keeping Polokwane in the contest.

Sundowns manage closing stages to secure vital points

Despite that setback, Sundowns managed the closing stages with experience and composure, slowing the tempo and seeing out the result to claim three valuable points in the title race. The victory, while not a polished performance, represents a crucial return to winning ways for the champions, who now head into a key run of fixtures against Polokwane City again and Kaizer Chiefs. Their pursuit of a record-extending ninth consecutive league title remains firmly in their own hands, but the narrow margin for error is clear. With Orlando Pirates breathing down their necks, every dropped point could prove decisive in the weeks ahead.

What lies ahead for the title contenders

Sundowns will face Polokwane City again in the reverse fixture before taking on Kaizer Chiefs, two matches that could define their season. Polokwane, meanwhile, have shown they can compete with the league's best and will look to build on this performance as they push for a top-eight finish. The title race remains finely poised. Sundowns' experience and depth may prove decisive, but their recent struggles for fluency suggest the coming weeks will test their resolve. For Polokwane, the challenge is to convert promising displays into points, starting with their next outing.

The bottom line

• Sundowns lead the PSL by two points with eight games to play, but their recent form includes two draws before this win.
• Marcelo Allende's goal was the difference, assisted by substitute Lebo Mothiba, who later missed a penalty.
• Polokwane City have proven a tough opponent for top sides, having frustrated Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates recently.
• Sundowns face a crucial run of fixtures against Polokwane City and Kaizer Chiefs that could decide the title.
• Coach Miguel Cardoso's substitutions proved decisive, highlighting the depth of Sundowns' squad.