Mamelodi Sundowns got their Betway Premiership title challenge back on track with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City at the Seshego Stadium on Wednesday night.
Marcelo Allende's goal in the second half was enough to take Miguel Cardoso's side two points clear of Orlando Pirates at the summit, as their undefeated streak stretched to 17 matches.
Sundowns move to the top of the #BetwayPrem table 🇿🇦🔝#SSDiski | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/4ESE7DPM9H
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 29, 2026
City were hoping to build on a four-game unbeaten run as they looked to cement their place in the top eight, while Bafana ba Style went in search of their first win in three outings after back-to-back draws against Stellenbosch and Richards Bay dented their title bid.
The visitors dominated proceedings in Seshego and created numerous chances in the first half, but they failed to test Lindokuhle Mathebula even once from their eight attempts at goal.
Jayden Adams flashed a shot wide from range on eight minutes before Teboho Mokoena steered a header past the post from a corner soon afterwards.
Iqraam Rayners sent a volley off target on 13 minutes and Peter Shalulile should have done better when he fired wide from inside the box two minutes before halftime.
Masandawana finally gave Mathebula some work to do in the 52nd minute as he pulled off a fine save to deny Rayners, who had been played through on goal by Themba Zwane.
Mokoena then threatened with a trademark strike from distance that flew narrowly over the crossbar on the hour mark before breakthrough eventually came two minutes later following a double substitution from Cardoso.
Lebo Mothiba made an immediate impact off the bench as he set up Allende to lash the ball home from inside the area to put Sundowns ahead.
Masandawana find the breakthrough 🔓
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 29, 2026
Marcelo Allende fires home in the second half to hand them the lead 🔥👆
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/ePw9dNKfeB
The CAF Champions League finalists were presented with a golden opportunity to double their lead on 74 minutes when Khulumani Ndamane was brought down inside the box, but Mothiba saw his cheeky Panenka penalty saved by Mathebula.
That poor decision and execution from the striker didn't end up costing the Brazilians as they saw out the final 16 minutes without incident to claim all three points.
Polokwane City 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Allende 62')
POLOKWANE CITY: L. Mathebula, T. Matuludi, E, Ramaja, L. Nkaki, T. Nkwe, B. Dlamini, M. Kambala, N. Maphangule (M. Batlhabane 70'), S. Kelepu (P. Marema 70'), M. Ramabu, S. Tshabalala (R. Daniels 57').
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS: R. Williams, K. Mudau, K. Ndamane, K. Cupido, A. Modiba (D. Lunga 86'), T. Mokoena, M. Allende, J. Adams, T. Zwane (T. Matthews 62'), I. Rayners (T. Ntsabeleng 72'), P. Shalulile (L. Mothiba 62').