Sundowns recorded an eighth league win in a row and are building a head of steam at the right time of the season as they seek a ninth successive title.
Here are the talking points from the clash with Gallants.
Own goal
Sundowns took the lead just past the half-hour mark. Keanu Cupido looked to get on the end of a cross and the ball ended up in the back of the net, but replays suggest it was an own goal off the back of Gallants defender Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya. It is a shame for Cupido, who has only two career goals in almost 200 games, both in the colours of Cape Town City. He had a chance to make sure of a goal minutes later, but this time his header was straight at 40-year-old Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Paying the penalty
Gallants were level after Sundowns gifted them a penalty, which was converted on 40 minutes by Phillip Ndlondlo. The visitors lifted a free-kick into the Sundowns box and Nuno Santos inexplicably raised his hand like a periscope, with a clearing header from Miguel Reisinho crashing straight into it. It was a clear penalty and the ever-reliable Ndlondlo made no mistake from 12 yards.
Bench impact
Teboho Mokoena had to settle for a place on the bench with one eye on Sunday’s return CAF Champions League tie at Stade Malien, but he came on in the second half and scored Sundowns’ second goal. It was not his usual banger from range, but it was still a fine finish as Arthur Sales supplied a superb pass into the box and, in one movement, Mokoena turned and shot low into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Gallants’ big miss
Ndlondlo should have had his second goal when he was played into acres of space in the box. He only had Ronwen Williams to beat but, as the keeper closed the space, the diminutive midfielder put the ball wide of the goal. At the very least, he should have hit the target. It was a huge let-off for Sundowns.
Screamer to finish it
Sundowns were mostly in control going into the final few minutes, but made sure of the points when Mokoena scored his second and this time it was an absolute belter. Some intricate play inside the box saw him teed-up 25 yards out and he absolutely smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
Dominant at home
Sundowns have now won 23 of their last 24 home fixtures in the Betway Premiership, the only blemish a 1-1 draw with Pirates in November. In fact, they have lost only one home league game since August 2022, a 1-0 defeat to Cape Town City on the final day of the 2023/24 season that denied them an ‘Invincibles’ campaign. In this run they have played 53 matches, winning 46 and drawing six.
Where does this leave us?
Sundowns move to 50 points from 21 games, two ahead of second-placed Pirates. Both teams have nine games left. They also now have a +26 goal-difference compared to Pirates' +25. The Soweto side really will be kicking themselves over their weekend draw with Siwelele.
Sundowns do not play again in the league until April 7. Gallants remain third from bottom with 18 points from 22 matches. They are only outside the relegation zone on goal difference but have played a game more than Orbit College below them. They have eight huge games left to try to save themselves, with their next two fixtures against bottom side Magesi (away) and Orbit College (home).