Sundowns beat Milford to draw level with Orlando Pirates at the summit

Mamelodi Sundowns moved level with Orlando Pirates at the top of the Betway Premiership after securing a 2-0 victory over rookies Milford FC at Loftus on Wednesday night.

The result means the Brazilians and the Buccaneers have both collected 13 points from their opening five league matches. Each side has won four games and drawn one, with neither having suffered defeat.

Orlando Pirates remain top of the standings because they have the better goal difference, having conceded fewer goals than Sundowns.

Sundowns claimed their important home victory through a goal in each half, with attackers Iqraam Rayners and Antonio van Wyk finding the net. Milford stay fifth on seven points from five matches, but Durban City, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United are all applying pressure from the positions below them.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made one notable adjustment to his starting XI, leaving Teboho Mokoena on the bench and bringing Bathusi Aubaas into midfield.

Aubaas operated at the base of the midfield, with Marcelo Allende and the emerging Bennet Mokoena alongside him. Their task was to contain Milford’s Cebolenkosi Mthethwa, Yanelisa Nomandela and Thabana Mabena.

The opening stages produced little in the way of clear opportunities, but Sundowns came close to breaking the deadlock after 24 minutes. Mokoena collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck a powerful effort that sailed over Siphamandla Hleza’s crossbar.

Milford then threatened to take the lead four minutes before half-time. Mabena was denied by the advancing Ronwen Williams, with the Sundowns goalkeeper taking the ball to the face as he moved to clear the danger.

The hosts responded almost immediately. Their attack forced Milford defender Olwethu Cele to make a vital clearance off the line, preventing attacking Matthews from scoring.

Sundowns finally went ahead in added time at the end of the first half. Vusumuzi Mthabela appeared to be shielding the ball on the byline in preparation for a restart, but Aubrey Modiba persistently challenged him and managed to steal possession.

Modiba then supplied the ball to the well-positioned Rayners, who finished past the exposed Hleza to give Sundowns the advantage.

Cardoso brought Teboho Mokoena on for Aubaas at the start of the second half, restoring his partnership with Allende as Sundowns looked to strengthen the centre of midfield with fresh legs.

Mokoena had an injury concern after 67 minutes when he went down following a kick to the ankle from Khanyisani Radebe, but he was able to continue.

Sundowns put the outcome beyond doubt in the 76th minute. Van Wyk completed a well-constructed forward move by guiding the ball beyond Hleza to secure all three points for the hosts.

After five rounds, Sundowns remain within touching distance of leaders Orlando Pirates, while Milford must now look over their shoulders with three clubs chasing them in the table.

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