Mamelodi Sundowns Thrash Makotopong Bahumi in a Friendly Match Ahead PSL Return

• Mamelodi Sundowns get ready for the second half of the Premier Soccer League 2025-26 season as they thrashed Makotopong Bahumi
• The Betway Premiership defending champions had six different goal scorers against the ABC Motsepe League outfit in Limpopo
• The match was a preparation as all club competitions are about to resume with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations close to coming to an end

Mamelodi Sundowns recorded an emphatic 6–1 victory over ABC Motsepe League outfit Makotopong Bahumi in a friendly encounter played on Friday, January 9, 2025.

The Tshwane giants have begun their build-up for the second phase of the campaign and are currently holding a training camp in Limpopo.

As part of their preparations, Sundowns took on the Limpopo-based lower-division side and ran out convincing winners, with six different players finding the back of the net.

Sundowns edge past Makotopong Bahumi

Striker Peter Shalulile marked his return from a broken jaw surgery with a goal, while South African striker Iqraam Rayners also got on the scoresheet. Portuguese imports Reisinho and Miguel Santos likewise contributed goals.

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Thapelo Maseko and captain Themba Zwane completed the scoring for Masandawana as they ran riot against the lower division side.

Sundowns will resume competitive football on Monday,19 January 2026, with a Betway Premiership clash against Orbit College, before welcoming Al Hilal Omdurman in their next CAF Champions League fixture.

Masadawana need to avoid a defeat for them to secure a place in the knockout stage.

Sundowns struggle in first half of season

The first half of the season was not that smooth for Miguel Cardoso and his boys as they were eliminated from the Carling Knockout Cup, which was later won by their bitter rivals, Orlando Pirates. The same club also won the MTN8 competition, but they are still in the CAF Champions League; the Soweto giants crashed out in the preliminary stage.

Sundowns reached the final of the CAF Champions League last season, and would be hoping to repeat such a feat this year, but winning it after losing the title to Pyramids FC last time out.

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The Brazilians are also behind the Sea Robbers in the Betway Premiership league standings, which is a threat to their mission of extending their record of winning the league title for the ninth time in a row after winning it last season for the eighth successive season.

The Pretorian giants still have a chance to come back, as they are just two points behind the Soweto-based club. They are still a strong contender to win the Nedbank Cup after being knocked out of the competition in the semi-finals last season by the eventual winners, Kaizer Chiefs.

Sundowns sign Bafana star from Pirates

Briefly News also reported that Mamelodi Sundowns have signed a Bafana Bafana forward from Orlando Pirates this January.

The Betway Premiership defending champions added more firepower to their attacking line as they hope to challenge the Sea Robbers for the title in the second half of the season.

Source: Briefly News