Mailula scores again as Sundowns beat Gallants but lose Mudau to ‘severe injury’

Cassius Mailula was once again among the scorers as Mamelodi Sundowns pulled off a 2-0 Betway Premiership win over struggling Marumo Gallants at Loftus on Wednesday night.

Mailula, who has returned to Chloorkop after frustrating spells in the US, Morocco and Belgium, scored his third goal in four matches in all competitions as Sundowns moved to third spot on the log.

Downs secured the important victory that keeps them close to leaders Orlando Pirates and second-placed Kaizer Chiefs through goals by defender Malibongwe Khoza and Mailula.

In the process of earning the win, the Brazilians have set a record of having gone 31 league matches without a loss at home, which stretches back to the end of the 2023-24 season when they lost to Cape Town City.

That loss against City denied Rulani Mokwena’s team a shot at the label ‘Invincibles’ after Jaedin Rhodes punished a second-half mistake by Mothobi Mvala on the last day of the campaign.

It is interesting at the top of the table at the start of this season, with Pirates, Chiefs, Sundowns and AmaZulu all on seven points from three matches.

The defeat leaves coach Phuti Mohafe’s Gallants at the bottom of the standings where they are level on one point with Kruger United and Siwelele FC.

Sundowns opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Khoza rifled home from close range after a short corner that ended with the ball in the box and Gallants failing to clear the danger. When the ball landed, Bathusi Aubaas headed it into the path of Khoza and his shot touched the foot of Gallants defender Yanga Madiba into his own net.

Gallants had a golden opportunity of their own to equalise just after the half-hour, but Downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived the right way to deny a close-range header by Mxolisi Sikakane.

The Brazilians suffered a major blow shortly before the break when reliable defender Khuliso Mudau was stretchered off the pitch with an injury, to be replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa.

Downs coach Miguel Cardoso said in his post-match interview the injury to the Bafana Bafana right back was “very, very severe”. Reports have been Mudau suffered an Achilles tendon tear.

Mailula put the result beyond doubt when he beat Lako with a delightful shot with his weaker left foot after the Gallants defence was caught napping in the 67th minute.

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