Comfortable, yet wasteful Sundowns cruise past PLK City to maintain perfect season start

Despite finishing with 10 men, Mamelodi Sundowns retained their perfect start to the 2023/24 season with a routine 2-0 win against Polokwane City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.

Lucas Ribeiro drilled a brace that allowed Sundowns to go eight points clear at the top of the table, but outside of the comfort of their sixth consecutive win, Sundowns should have put more goals past their hosts.

They also had midfielder Lebogang Maboe sent off for a reckless challenge in the 85th minute, but still managed to get through the game as they gave Polokwane City a rude reminder of their class at this level.

That being said, Sundowns have now gone 30 games unbeaten, one game off Kaizer Chiefs' 2004/05 31-match unbeaten run.

Sundowns have won 24 and drawn six of their matches in their run, but it'll come under serious scrutiny when they face Orlando Pirates in their next league match at the Orlando Stadium on 19 September.

Such was Sundowns' dominance, after Polokwane City forward Douglas Mapfumo's chance in the seventh minute, they firmly shut out the visitors.

Lively midfielder Marcelo Allende then coaxed a foul from City defender and captain Bulelani Nikani, from where referee Jelly Chavani had no option but to award an 11th-minute penalty.

It was converted a minute later by Ribeiro, from where Sundowns proceeded to dominate proceedings right through till the end.

Sundowns, for all their silky attacking endeavour, weren't getting the rewards they were seeking through their missed chances.

City also had their goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula to thank for keeping a lid on the score with saves here and there.

While Neo Maema missed a chance from a Ribiero pass in the 24th minute, Mathebula was able to save an Allende freekick in the