16-year-old Siyabonga Mabena scored as Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their perfect record in the DStv Premiership following their 3-1 win over Stellenbosch FC at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening.

With the win in Pretoria, the 13-time champions haven’t lost in the league in 32 matches, which is one more than the record set by Kaizer Chiefs in 2005.

Sundowns also tied the Chiefs’ record of eight straight Premiership wins to start a season, which was set in 2014.

The game started in a downpour, and lowly Stellenbosch shocked the home team when Devin Titus slammed a rebound into the goal in the 14th minute.

Grant Kekana and Aubrey Modiba scored two goals for Sundowns in the last five minutes before halftime. This turned the game around for Sundowns.

Kekana hit the ball from a sharp angle into the far corner of the goal, and Modiba fired a free kick past custodian Sage Stephens.

As the second half started, the rain stopped, and Sundowns always looked like they would score more goals than their tired opponents, who were missing several regulars due to injuries and suspensions.
But the former CAF Champions League winners had to wait until the last minute of regular time to seal the win. Selfless captain Peter Shalulile set up Mabena to shoot into the net.

Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena didn’t talk about the records or Mabena. Instead, he praised his team as “a great group of players I’m very proud of.”

“Stellenbosch are a far better team than their league position suggests and they made it difficult for us. The heavy pitch did not suit our style.”

Losing coach Steve Barker said: “Conceding the second goal from a free-kick was a major setback for us and quality told in the end.

“Our intensity dropped in the second half, partly because we had a very tough cup tie against Orlando Pirates just three days ago,” he added as his club dropped to 14th.

Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix