Betway Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellies off to winning start as PSL resumes

by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath

image Betway Premiership: Mamelodi Sundowns, Stellies off to winning start as PSL resumes
The 2025-26 Betway Premiership is now back in full swing, and the first round of games following the restart produced a few surprise results and movement in the standings. Masandawana returned to the top of the table but have now played two games more than Orlando Pirates.

Brayan Leon opens account for Downs on debut

Mamelodi Sundowns have come under criticism this season after an underwhelming start to the league campaign. They took 26 points from their first 13 games, which saw them enter the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations break in second place behind Orlando Pirates.

However, Masandawana kicked off the New Year impressively, confirming our football predictions by beating Orbit College 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Monday to go back above the Bucs, though they have now played two games more than the Soweto giants. 

Arthur Sales gave the Brazilians the lead in the match, netting the first half, while new signing Brayan Leon enjoyed an excellent debut for the reigning PSL champions, opening his account for the club in the second half. 

On Tuesday night, Stellenbosch returned to winning ways in the South African top flight with a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, thanks to a 33rd-minute goal by debutant Tshegofatso Mabasa. 

Elsewhere, Kaizer Chiefs edged Golden Arrows 1-0 at the FNB Stadium, though it was a controversial win as goal-scorer Aden McCarthy looked to be in an offside position. Still, AmaKhosi are now third in the league standings with 27 points after 14 games. 

Sundowns held to frustrating draw in CAFCL 

psl_sundowns_2

In addition to the domestic league across Africa, the CAF Champions League also resumed this week, and Mamelodi Sundowns were forced to settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against Al-Hilal, who ended the match with 10 players on the park. 

Although the Brazilians dominated almost every statistical category, they found themselves trailing as early as the 15th minute when Abdelrazig Omer gave the visitors the lead with a ferocious strike beyond Ronwen Williams. 

Downs levelled proceedings six minutes later and took the lead just after the hour mark through a Teboho Mokoena long-range effort, but they were unable to hold on to their advantage, with Omer bagging his brace in the 71st minute. 

With that result, Masandawana and Al-Hilal are level on five points in Group C of the CAFCL after three games. The two will face off once again on Matchday 4 on January 30 at the Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman.