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FootballMamelodi Sundowns Unbeaten Streak Ends After Error From Mothobi Mvala Hands Cape Town City Victory
- Mamelodi Sundowns were on an unbeaten streak heading into the final match round of the season
- The Brazilians were on course to finish the undefeated 2023-24 season in the DSTV Premiership
- A costly error from Mothobi Mvala saw Rulani Mokwena's side suffer defeat against Cape Town City
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Mamelodi Sundowns' stellar 2023-24 DStv Premiership campaign concluded on a bittersweet note, despite securing the top spot in the standings.
The Brazilians, who had been nothing short of exceptional throughout the league season, had high hopes of finishing the campaign undefeated, thereby becoming the first team in the history of the South African top-flight to achieve this.
However, their faultless league season would be dealt a heartbreaking blow when defender Mothobi Mvala, in a moment of lack of concentration, failed to effectively control the ball and lost it to the onrushing Jaedin Rhodes.
The Cape Town City midfielder, upon winning the ball from the defender, slotted it past an onrushing Ronwen Williams with aplomb to give his side the lead.
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Despite Mamelodi Sundowns' late attempts, including efforts from striker, Siyabonga Mabena, to preserve their unbeaten record, Eric Tinkler's side proved too resilient to breach for even the most formidable attacks in the DSTV Premiership.
Ultimately, Coach Rulani Mokwena's side experienced their first league defeat of the season.
Brazilians fall short of history
The defeat, which visibly left many Sundowns players heartbroken, marked their first loss in the league in 53 matches, according to data from Idiski Times.
The last time Coach Rulani's side tasted defeat in the league was in September 2022, against SuperSport United.
This match also signified the first time Cape Town City had defeated the DStv Premiership giants since their 3-2 loss in August 2020.
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FootballRulani urges Sundowns supporters to emulate Man City
Sports Brief in another report stated Coach Rulani had urged Sundowns fans to emulate Manchester City with their title celebrations.
The Brazilians were celebrating their seventh consecutive league title on the season's final day, and the 37-year-old manager urged fans to pack Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Additionally, the manager took a moment to dedicate his team's seventh successive league title to the club's chairman, Thlopie Motsepe.