This victory allowed Sundowns to reclaim the top position with 26 points from ten games, pushing Orlando Pirates—who had temporarily taken the lead by defeating Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 earlier that day—down to second place with 25 points.

Matuludi, who made the switch to Masandawana from Polokwane City, opened the scoreline in the 34th minute with a clever interplay with Marcelo Allende.

The energetic right-back extended the lead in the 66th minute by finishing a precise pass from Aubrey Modiba, effectively deflating Eric Tinkler’s squad. Matuludi nearly secured a magnificent hat-trick shortly after, but Durban City goalkeeper Frederick Asare was equal to the task, making a remarkable fingertip save to push his left-footed shot over the bar.

Sundowns sealed the match in the 80th minute when Siyanda Ndlovu provided a perfectly placed cross from the right, allowing Iqraam Rayners to confidently side-foot a composed third goal into the net.

Durban City got one back in the 85th minute when Jean Lubamba, the standout player from the club’s previous Nedbank Cup win, capitalized on a poorly cleared cross from Samkelo Maseko to net a consolation goal.

Nonetheless, Sundowns had the final say during stoppage time. Modiba provided his second assist of the match, setting up Antonio Van Wyk for a clean finish from close range, leaving Asare helpless.

This loss means Durban City continues to search for an away league win against Sundowns since the 2012/13 season, back when the franchise played as Maritzburg United under coach Ernst Middendorp.

For Sundowns, head coach Miguel Cardoso has now extended his impressive unbeaten home league record to 34 matches since taking over from Manqoba Mngqithi in December 2024, reinforcing Masandawana’s status as the leading team in the league once more.