Mamelodi Sundowns racked up a sixth straight win at the start of the new DStv Premiership season when they defeated hosts Polokwane City 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa netted both goals for the Brazilians, who extended their club record winning start to a league campaign to six matches – just two short of the overall record of eight, set by Kaizer Chiefs in 2014-15 – and opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the table (having played a game more).

The Tshwane giants are also just one match short of equalling another Chiefs record: a streak of 31 unbeaten league matches, set in 2005.

Their last defeat in the Premiership was at the hands of local rivals SuperSport United on 2 September 2022 – almost a year ago.

As for Rise and Shine, this third defeat from five matches drops them to eighth place – with further demotion possible depending on results later on Wednesday.

Sundowns settled into a rhythm early on and began to pressure Polokwane’s defence, ultimately earning a penalty when Marcelo Allende was tripped up by Bulelani Nikani.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa stepped up and cracked home from the spot in the 12th minute to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

HARSH RED CARD

Midway through the first half the Brazilians had a great chance to double their advantage, with Ribeiro Costa rounding Polokwane goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula before unselfishly squaring for Neo Maema, but a desperate challenge from Tholo Matuludi prevented a second goal.

Ten minutes later Mathebula made a sharp save to keep out a glancing header from Rivaldo Coetzee, who got on the end of a free kick delivery from Allende.

Sundowns kept up the attacking pressure, but were unable to find a second goal before the halftime interval.

Yet the reigning champions needed just five minutes of the second half to double their lead: Themba Zwane’s powerful strike from the right of the penalty area was well saved by Mathebula, but Ribeiro Costa followed up and easily netted from close range for 2-0.

Sundowns’ next major chance arrived with a quarter hour of regulation time remaining, with Maema squaring for Allende in the middle of the box, but Mathebula did well to come off his line and thwart the Chilean.

The Brazilians had further near misses via Lesiba Nku and Maema in the dying minutes, and ended the game on something of a sour note when substitute Lebohang Maboe was harshly shown a straight red card for a challenge on Matuludi.

Sundowns will only be back in DStv Premiership action on 19 September when they face Orlando Pirates, while Polokwane’s next league match is two days prior when they face Sekhukhune United.

Polokwane City 0

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Ribeiro Costa 12’ pen, 50’)

Polokwane: Mathebula, Matuludi (Thuto 89’), Nikani, Nkaki, Ndlovu (Ramabu 90+5’), Nana (Goovadia 54’), Maphangule, Mashikinya (Chauke 89’), Van Heerden (Raphadu 54’), Appollis, Mapfumo

Sundowns: Williams, Kekana (Lebusa 63’), Coetzee, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena (Aubaas 63’), Allende (Seabi 81’), Mendieta (Nku 55’), Maema, Zwane (Maboe 81’), Ribeiro Costa