Masandawana Flex Depth in Six-Goal Friendly Rout
Mamelodi Sundowns stepped up their preparations for the resumption of the 2025/26 campaign with a commanding 6–1 friendly victory over ABC Motsepe League side Makotopong Bahumi in Limpopo on Friday.
The Betway Premiership champions are currently based at a training camp in the province as domestic and continental competitions edge closer to resuming following the latter stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. As part of that build-up, Masandawana used the fixture to sharpen match fitness—and did so emphatically, with six different players getting on the scoresheet.
Goals Galore in Limpopo
Striker Peter Shalulile marked his return after recovering from jaw surgery with a goal, while South African forward Iqraam Rayners also found the net. Portuguese duo Reisinho and Miguel Santos added their names to the scoresheet, before Thapelo Maseko and captain Themba Zwane completed a dominant display.
What’s Next for Masandawana?
Sundowns return to competitive action on Monday, 19 January, with a Betway Premiership clash against Orbit College. That will be followed by a crucial CAF Champions League encounter against Al Hilal Omdurman, where avoiding defeat would secure progression to the knockout stages.
Season So Far: Room for Improvement
The opening half of the season proved challenging for head coach Miguel Cardoso and his squad. Sundowns exited the Carling Knockout Cup—later won by rivals Orlando Pirates—and also missed out in the MTN8. However, they remain alive in the CAF Champions League after reaching last season’s final, where they fell short against Pyramids FC.
In the league, the Brazilians trail the Buccaneers by just two points, keeping their bid for a ninth consecutive Betway Premiership title firmly on track. They are also eyeing a strong run in the Nedbank Cup after last season’s semi-final exit.