Mamelodi Sundowns meet Black Leopards in a match that will help decide the PSL title and could also determine which side ends up in the promotion/relegation playoffs.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Black Leopards: PSL preview
Sundowns come into this match off the back of a 3-0 triumph over basement boys Polokwane City, a result that has kept them right in the hunt for title glory.
Pitso Mosimane’s Mamelodi Sundowns know that victory may not be enough to claim a record-breaking fifth title during the coach’s outrageously successful tenure at the club. Sundowns return to the scene of their defeat to Baroka as Donsonville Stadium hosts this contest.
Black Leopards are yet again involved in a relegation bunfight that will see them duel with the likes of Amazulu and Baroka FC. Leopards are level on points with 15th place Baroka who currently occupy the dreaded promotion/relegation playoff spot. Amazulu are ahead of Leopards via goal difference while Chippa United could be drawn into the battle if they fail to secure a point against Golden Arrows.
Last time out Black Leopards beat Bidvest Wits 1-0.
The permutations are numerous but Black Leopards do at least know that a win will secure them PSL football next season, which kicks off in October.
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Black Leopards: Relive the PSL action here
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Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Black Leopards: PSL report
Mamelodi Sundowns stamped their authority on proceedings in the early going with Black Leopards content to try and catch them on the break.
Sundowns kept the pressure on, and Black Leopards were living dangerously, but the Brazilians couldn’t register a shot on target before the cooling break.
Shortly after the cooling break Sundowns were awarded a penalty after a foul on Themba Zwane but Ricardo Nascimento couldn’t beat King Ndlovu with the Black Leopards keeper saving the spot-kick and a follow-up header.
Watch: Nascimento is denied
Gaston Sirino found Madisha with a free-kick ten minutes later but he headed into the upright.
It seemed it wasn’t Sundowns day when in first half stoppage time Zwane also hit the woodwork.
Ndlovu was finally beaten after some poor defending from Black Leopards late in the first period allowed Lebogang Maboe to head home a Zwane cross.
Half time
Sundowns came out for the second period with renewed vigour intent on making up ground on Kaizer Chiefs.
A goal-line scramble couldn’t keep Sundowns from adding to their advantage and it was Maboe who found the finish.
The second half quickly became one-way traffic and it seemed to be only a matter of time before Sundowns would add to their advantage.
In the end Black Leopards held out until stoppage time but the pressure would tell, and Maboe turned up and would head in to give Sundowns a 3-0 lead and clinch his hat-trick.
Watch: Maboe seal his hat-trick
News had filtered through before the final whistle that Kaizer Chiefs had played to a 1-1 draw and the celebrations could begin for Sundowns.
Mamelodi Sundowns squad
Starting XI: Mweene, Ngcongca, Langerman, Nascimento, Madisha, Coetzee, Mkhuma, Kekana (C), Sirino, Zwane, Maboe.
Subs: Pieterse, Makgalwa, Mkhulise, Mabunda, Arendse, Mohomi, Meza, Lakay, Laffor
Black Leopards squad
Starting XI: K.Ndlovu, Mudau, Zulu, Masia, Gyimah, Abubakar, Mokeona, Khutlang, Matlaba, T.Ndlovu, Makgetlwa
Subs: Mendes, Ndawonde, Ndou, Modiba, X. Ndlovu, Ngambi, Thutlwa, Andrianarimanana, Mashoene.
Final PSL log 2019/20
| 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | 30 | 17 | 8 | 5 | 43 | 22 | 21 | 59 | |
| 2 | Kaizer Chiefs | 30 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 48 | 27 | 21 | 57 | |
| 3 | Orlando Pirates | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 40 | 29 | 11 | 52 | |
| 4 | Bidvest Wits | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 52 | |
| 5 | SuperSport United | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 43 | 26 | 17 | 50 | |
| 6 | Cape Town City FC | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 40 | 37 | 3 | 42 | |
| 7 | Maritzburg United | 30 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 29 | 27 | 2 | 42 | |
| 8 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 30 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 43 | 39 | 4 | 39 | |
| 9 | Highlands Park | 30 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 39 | |
| 10 | Stellenbosch FC | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 26 | 34 | -8 | 36 | |
| 11 | Chippa United | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 34 | |
| 12 | Lamontville Golden Arrows | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 34 | |
| 13 | AmaZulu FC | 30 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 33 | -13 | 30 | |
| 14 | Baroka FC | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 29 | |
| 15 | Black Leopards | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 27 | 44 | -17 | 29 | |
| 16 | Polokwane City | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 25 | 44 | -19 | 25 |
