Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Milford FC

Match Summary

Betway Premiership · Matchday 5

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria  |  Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Mamelodi Sundowns moved level on points with Orlando Pirates at the summit of the Betway Premiership after a hard-fought 2-0 win over newly-promoted Milford FC at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night. Coach Miguel Cardoso's side had to work for the victory against a well-organised Milford outfit that competed strongly for large spells, but a stoppage-time opener from Iqraam Rayners and a second-half strike from Antonio van Wyk — both created by the influential Aubrey Modiba — proved enough to see Sundowns through, four days after their dramatic MTN8 semifinal win over Golden Arrows.

The result takes Sundowns to 13 points from five matches (four wins, one draw, no losses), exactly matching leaders Orlando Pirates, who sit top only on superior goal difference. Milford, appearing in the top flight for the first time, remain fifth on seven points, still under pressure from Durban City, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United below them.

Goal Scorers

How the match unfolded

Milford, managed by Dr Xanti Pupuma, showed no intention of sitting back against the league's form side, competing well in the opening exchanges and giving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams an early workout. A loss of possession around the halfway line saw Yanelisa Nomandela test Williams from distance, while young Milford midfielder Cebolenkosi Mthethwa also caused problems for a Sundowns midfield that had been shuffled by Cardoso, with Bathusi Aubaas coming in for the rested Teboho Mokoena alongside Marcelo Allende and emerging talent Bennett Mokoena.

Sundowns struggled to find their usual fluency in the final third for much of the first half, with Bennett Mokoena's long-range effort that sailed over the crossbar in the 24th minute standing as the hosts' best chance for long periods.

The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time. Aubrey Modiba cut inside from a tight angle on the left after beating his marker, and his low ball across goal fell for an unmarked Iqraam Rayners to tap home from close range, sending Sundowns in 1-0 up at the break in what had been a tightly-contested opening 45 minutes. Milford responded quickly after the restart, with Tashreeq Matthews controlling a pass on his chest and firing goalwards, only for defender Menzi Cele to produce a crucial goal-line clearance to keep his side in the contest.

Sundowns doubled their advantage in the 76th minute, with Modiba again the provider as he teed up substitute Antonio van Wyk — who had also come off the bench to inspire Sunday's MTN8 comeback against Golden Arrows — to finish clinically and settle the contest. The result was somewhat overshadowed by a worrying moment for the hosts when right-back Grant Mdunyelwa was withdrawn holding his groin, a concern for Cardoso given first-choice right-back Khuliso Mudau is already out injured until next year. Teboho Mokoena, introduced from the bench, also appeared to take a heavy knock late on after a challenge from Milford's Khanyisani Radebe, who was shown a yellow card for the tackle.

Match Statistics & Key Notes

Detail	Information
Final score	Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Milford FC
Half-time score	1-0 (Rayners, 45+2')
Man of the match / creator	Aubrey Modiba (2 assists)
Sundowns league record	4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses — 13 points, unbeaten
League position	2nd (level on points with Pirates, trail on goal difference)
Milford league record	7 points from 5 matches, 5th place
Notable moment	Menzi Cele goal-line clearance denied Matthews early 2nd half
Injury concern	Grant Mdunyelwa withdrawn holding groin (Mudau already out until 2027)
Booking	Khanyisani Radebe (Milford) — yellow card

Team news & lineups

• Mamelodi Sundowns (4-3-3): Ronwen Williams; Grant Mdunyelwa, Lucas Ribeiro Khoza, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba; Bennett Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Marcelo Allende; Antonio van Wyk (later Tashreeq Matthews), Iqraam Rayners.
• Milford FC (4-3-3): Siphamandla Hleza; Bhengu, Mthabela, Mdluli, Menzi Cele; Cebolenkosi Mthethwa, Yanelisa Nomandela, Thabana Mabena; Mbunga, Sigomoshe, Ndlabi.
• Sundowns made four changes from their MTN8 semifinal second leg, restoring Rayners, Bennett Mokoena, Aubaas and van Wyk to the starting XI.
• Substitutes introduced by Sundowns included Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula and Fawaaz Basadien as Cardoso managed his squad following a midweek cup tie.

What it means

The win keeps Sundowns firmly in the title conversation alongside Orlando Pirates as the early-season pace continues to be set by South Africa's two traditional powerhouses. With both sides unbeaten and level on points after five rounds, goal difference could prove decisive in the title race sooner rather than later. For Milford, a fifth-placed finish on seven points from their first five top-flight matches represents a solid platform, even as they continue to fend off a chasing pack that includes Durban City, Golden Arrows and Sekhukhune United.

Sources

• TimesLIVE — "Sundowns overcome Milford to keep pace with Pirates at top of log"
• The Citizen — "Rayners, Van Wyk fire Sundowns past Milford"
• Kick Off — "Sundowns sink Milford to go level with Bucs"
• Afrik-Foot — "Mamelodi Sundowns see off stubborn Milford to move level with Pirates"
• Soccer Laduma — "HT/FT Report: Sundowns v Milford"
• Soccer Laduma — "Starting XI: Sundowns v Milford"
• VAVEL USA — "Sundowns Cruise Past Milford 2-0 as Van Wyk Seals It"
• Afrik-Foot — "Live: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Milford FC — Scores, goals, updates"
• SuperSport — Mamelodi Sundowns vs Milford FC Match Centre

Also Read: Kruger United vs Orlando Pirates

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