Mamelodi Sundowns climbed back to the top of the Betway Premiership standings with a composed 2–0 victory over Orbit College at Loftus Versfeld on Monday night.
Goals in each half from Arthur Sales and debutant Brayan Leon lifted Miguel Cardoso’s side to 29 points, moving them one point clear of Orlando Pirates, albeit with the Buccaneers holding two games in hand.
Sundowns were eager to reassert themselves in the title race after a frustrating run before the break, having collected just eight points from their previous five league matches. Orbit, meanwhile, arrived in Pretoria under pressure, sitting 13th after ending 2025 on a three-match losing streak.
The hosts nearly struck inside four minutes when Jayden Adams rattled the post with a well-timed volley, setting the tone for a dominant opening spell. Their breakthrough arrived midway through the first half as Sales capitalised on a defensive lapse, blocking a clearance before improvising brilliantly to finish into an empty net.
Sundowns continued to control proceedings, with Lebo Mothiba and Sales both threatening before the interval, though Orbit goalkeeper Cyril Chibwe kept the scoreline respectable before being forced off injured early in the second half.
The moment of the night arrived on 65 minutes. Teenage left-back Thato Sibiya, making his senior debut, delivered a teasing cross that Leon met with authority, powering a header past substitute goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo to double the lead just 19 minutes after stepping onto the pitch.
Orbit offered little resistance in attack, leaving Ronwen Williams largely untroubled, while Sundowns nearly added a third late on when Miguel Reisinho’s effort was dramatically cleared off the line.
Teen sensation announces himself
At just 19 years old, Sibiya capped a dream senior debut with a Man of the Match performance, underlining why Sundowns have high hopes for the Kagiso-born defender. A product of Panorama FC and a standout performer at the 2023 Engen Knockout Challenge, the South Africa U20 international has progressed rapidly through the club’s ranks.
SuperSport TV analyst Bongani Khumalo was full of praise, likening Sibiya’s style to former Chiefs and Manchester United left-backs Tsepo Masilela and Patrice Evra, highlighting his strength, movement and technical assurance.
Sibiya now joins a competitive left-back group that includes Aubrey Modiba, Divine Lunga and Fawaaz Basadien, but his debut display suggests he has firmly entered coach Cardoso’s plans.