Just too good! Unbeaten Sundowns break PSL points record ...
Deano van Rooyen and Lesiba Nku during the DStv Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and Mamelodi Sundowns at Athlone Stadium on 18 May 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns out-hustled the hard-running Stellenbosch FC to secure a 1-0 victory in the DStv Premiership at a sun-beamed Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
This win propelled Sundowns to a new record of 72 points, breaking the previous Premier Soccer League (PSL) record they set eight years ago (2015/16) in 30-match league season.
Masandawana are still on course to break the all-time record of 75 points, that was set by the Brazilians (1998/99, 1999/00) and Kaizer Chiefs (1998/99) when there was still 34 games a season.
The result also saw Sundowns achieve a record-equalling 22nd match win in a 30-match season as they held on to tightly to their unbeaten run in the 2023/24 Premiership campaign with two fixtures remaining.
Having already been confirmed as league champions for a record seventh straight season, Sundowns are on track to end the season with a treble of gold medals.
They have already won the inaugural CAF African Football League and will face Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final on June 1.
The #DStvPrem action today had it all:
?? Sundowns are one win away from an invincible season.
?? Stellenbosch and Pirates lose to take the race for second to final day.
?? TS Galaxy secure a top eight finish. pic.twitter.com/P9zv8GApGc
Elsewhere on the day, Pirates suffered a gut-wrenching loss to TS Galaxy, where a victory or a draw could have propelled the Buccaneers ahead of Stellies in the exciting race for CAF Champions League football.
The Soweto giants defence were caught napping by a Galaxy attack that has been ruthless all season long under Sead Ramovic and Sphiwe Mahlangu tapped in from close range to score the club's 30th league goal of the season.
The defeat meant the Sea Robbers (49 points) remain stagnant in third place (CAF Confederations Cup spot) while second-place Stellies (50 points) breath a sigh of relief as their dream for premier African football is still alive.
Stellenbosch came out with a strong attacking intent early on, creating several promising moments, though they couldn't trouble Sundowns' keeper Ronwen Williams much.
Sundowns had their first dangerous chance in the 20th minute when Lesiba Nku headed Aubrey Modiba's cross towards goal, but Sage Stephens made a comfortable save.
Stephens then made an impressive reflex save ten minutes later to deny Peter Shalulile's close-range volley following a brilliant run by Thembinkosi Lorch down the left side.
In the 32nd minute, controversy arose as Stellenbosch were awarded a penalty after Iqraam Rayners went down under Bathusi Aubaas' challenge. Rayners took the spot-kick himself, only to be thwarted by Williams to keep the score goalless apiece.
As the stands begin to flood further with people who arrived late, as per usual, the stakes on either side of the pitch could be felt as Stellies probed while Sundowns' experience spoke volumes in managing the game to good effect.
There was a distinct difference in quality despite the scoreline, which Steve Barker himself pointed out in his post-match press conference at Danie Craven Stadium nearly two weeks ago after Stellies went down to the Brazilians in the Nedbank Cup semi-final.
That patience and quality would prove to be right again for Sundowns against a team that have exceeded all expectations this season.
Lorch, who has been revitalised since joining from Pirates in the January transfer window, has injected new energy into Sundowns' squad both on and off the field.
In his 20th appearance across all competitions for the Brazilians, the 30-year-old sparked at Athlone Stadium, operating fluidly between the left and right wings.
Lorch kept Stellenbosch's defence on edge, constantly adapting and offering different attacking dimensions.
It wasn't until the 71st minute that Mokwena made any changes to his lineup, but just before that, Lorch made a decisive impact that could propel Sundowns towards breaking their previous record of 22 wins in a single 30-match season.
The move started with Rivaldo Coetzee, who sliced open the Stellenbosch midfield, finding Themba Zwane waiting to receive the ball.
Zwane calmly shifted it to Sipho Mbule, who delivered a crucial pass to Lorch.
The former Pirates player then delivered a pinpoint cross for his fourth assist of the season into the path of Nku, who displayed determination to beat his marker and score his fifth goal of the campaign.
