Brian Mandela features as Sven Yidah misses 19th consecutive match in South Africa

Kenyan international Brian Mandela featured for Mamelodi Sundowns as they walloped Royal AM 5-1 while Sven Yidah continued to be frozen out of the Marumo Gallants matchday squad.

Brian Mandela

The former Tusker FC center-back came on as an early substitute as Mamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 21 games in all competitions with a 5-1 annihilation of Royal AM in the South African Premier Soccer League.

Sundowns were forced into an early change when Grant Kekana picked up an injury in the 13th minute with Mandela given the nod to replace the defender.

The reigning South African champions finally got their groove in the 21st minute when Cassius Mailula finished from close range after a brilliant flick from Neo Maema.

Royal AM shot themselves in the foot with a comical own goal after former Mamelodi Sundowns defender Ricardo Nascimento played a back pass to goalkeeper Zakahle Ngcobo who failed to control the ball as it tricked into the back of the net.

The league’s top scorer Peter Shalulile extended his tally to 10 goals after he rifled the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the box following another eye-catching flick this time from Khuliso Mudau.

Last season’s Golden Boot winner, Shalulile soon made it 11 this season with a goal in the 51st minute as he profited from a melee inside the box from a corner as he again thumped the ball into the back of the net.

Royal AM grabbed the consolation goal in the 68th minute as Lantshene Phalane unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box that rippled the back of the net.

Sundowns drilled the final nail in Royal AM’s coffin in the 74th minute when Mothombi Mvala headed home from close range after a pinpoint corner from Aubrey Modiba.

Sven Yidah

The former Nairobi City Stars midfielder missed the matchday squad for the 19th consecutive game as his Marumo Gallants side settled for a 2-2 draw against Cape Town City FC in the South African Premier Soccer League.

The last time Yidah featured for Gallants was back in August in the 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates and not even a change in coaching staff back in January could improve his fortunes.

Cape Town opened the scoring in the 23rd minute courtesy of Khanyisa Mayo but Gallants restored parity a minute after the half-hour mark through Lebisa Nku.

Mayo sealed his brace in the 51st minute after hitting a sublime free-kick but Gallants again pulled level at the stroke of the hour mark through Ranga Chivaviro as they both settled for a draw.