Parker's Galaxy Dash Sundowns' Title Aspirations

Mamelodi Sundowns' title hopes in the Betway Premiership suffered a big blow after losing 3-2 to TS Galaxy in their final league game of the campaign.

With the CAF Champions League final on the horizon, Sundowns will finish their league campaign two weeks before title rivals Orlando Pirates, who currently hold a better goal difference with two games to play. The Brazilians netted seven goals against Siwelele, but also ended up conceding four.

Galaxy, meanwhile, last tasted victory in the league back in January and look like a team just waiting for the season to end, but they only sit five points above the relegation zone heading into the encounter.

Sundowns needed to come out firing in the hope of improving their goal difference and they did just that with their line-up as Arthur Sales returned to line up alongside Brayan Leon and Nuno Santos, however Galaxy shocked the visitors when Victor Letsoalo converted a penalty inside the opening 15 minutes, before Sedwyn George doubled the three minutes later.

Miguel Cardoso's charges dominated throughout the first half and spent most of their time in the opposition half, but the Galaxy players did well thwart every entry until the final ten minutes of the period when Bryan Leon pulled his side level with two goals in quick succession.

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The Rockets were not playing a like a team who had not a won a league game since January as they carried that same approach into the second period and caught the Sundowns defence napping once again when Sphesihle Maduna raced free down the left before picking Mpho Mvelase for the simple tap-in.

Bernard Parker's side were happy to sit back for the remainder of the second period to defend their lead, while Cardoso threw on the likes of Tashreeq Matthews, Reisinho and Khulumani Ndamane for the final 20 minutes in the hope of getting back into the contest.

Even with the late inclusion of top scorer Iqraam Rayners, Sundowns were unable to find a way past the Rockets defence in the latter stages as Parker registered his first win during his interim reign. Sundowns, meanwhile, sit top of the table but only hold a three-point lead over Pirates who have two games to play.

Mpho Mvelase was a real engine in the Galaxy midfield throughout the evening as the Rockets spent most of the encounter sitting and back and breaking on the counter, while he also scored the third goal for Galaxy.

Brayan Leon kept his side in the contest after a slow start and bagged a quick-fire brace. The Colombian remained a threat throughout the contest despite Sundowns' ending up on the losing side.

Mamelodi Sundows: AS FAR Rabat (H), AS FAR Rabat (A)