Mkhulise strikes twice late as Sundowns edge Galaxy in five-goal thriller

Sphelele Mkhulise scored in the 89th and 94th minutes to complete a dramatic comeback for Mamelodi Sundowns, who beat TS Galaxy 3-2 in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.

The substitute’s late double rescued three points for the Brazilians after they had fallen behind in the second half, extending a run of high-scoring matches in which Sundowns have conceded four goals across their opening two league and cup fixtures.

The result gives Sundowns an important victory as they begin their attempt to reclaim the Premiership title they lost to Orlando Pirates in 2025-26, although their campaign has started in uncertain fashion.

Sundowns began the match brightly at a freezing Mbombela Stadium and took the lead after only seven minutes. Brayan Leon finished the early opportunity to put the visitors in front.

TS Galaxy levelled in the 33rd minute when a stray pass allowed Victor Letsoalo to score from a tight angle. The hosts then completed the turnaround in the 77th minute after Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams was unable to deal with Letsoalo’s header from a free-kick, awkwardly pushing the ball into his own goal.

Sundowns had brought on Mkhulise in the 63rd minute, replacing young youth international midfielder Gomolemo Kekana. The change ultimately proved decisive as the substitute kept the visitors’ title challenge from suffering an early setback.

Mkhulise first found space inside the penalty area before calmly finishing to bring Sundowns level in the 89th minute. The Brazilians then produced a late winner four minutes into added time.

Substitute Tashreeq Matthews supplied the key moment in the build-up, using his skill to send Khuliso Mudau into the right side of the box. Mudau squared the ball across the area and Mkhulise made no mistake with his second finish, beating Ivorian goalkeeper Eliezer Ira Tape to complete the turnaround.

The victory comes after Sundowns opened their competitive season with another 3-2 success, overcoming Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarter-final at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

They have now conceded four goals in their first two league and cup matches of the campaign. That is a sharp early contrast with last season, when the Brazilians conceded 21 goals in 30 Premiership games while finishing runners-up to Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns’ league start was delayed by just over a week compared with the other teams because the effects of the death of Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams last month disrupted their pre-season preparations.

Despite conceding twice again against Galaxy, Sundowns avoided dropping points thanks to Mkhulise’s late intervention. Their victory keeps their effort to regain the Premiership crown alive, but the opening results suggest there is still work to do defensively.