Mamelodi Sundowns’ victory over Magesi FC on Wednesday will carry more weight than the three points earned by the champions.
Besides Peter Shalulile scoring the goal that now takes him to being joint-top of the PSL era all-time scoring charts on 129 goals with Siyabonga Nomvete, there was more.
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Gomolemo Kekana made his first-team debut appearance with a start.
The youth international lasted 45 minutes before he was replaced by Thapelo Maseko at half-time.
Those minutes will be worth more than gold for Kekana with the FIFA Under-20 World Cup fast approaching (September 27 to October 19) in Chile, where Amajita will play France (September 29), New Caledonia (October 2), and United States of America (October 5) in the group stage.
Then, there was Lebo Mothiba playing his first ever match for Sundowns on the domestic scene, which was also the first of his career in the league of his home country.
Prior to Wednesday, Mothiba’s minutes in a Sundowns shirt had been in the CAF Champions League final and two matches at the FIFA Club World Cup.
He has never played top-flight football before in South Africa having left as an academy player to France, where he spent a decade.
The 29-year-old was signed by the Tshwane giants in January but has had to work on his fitness since then.
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Mothiba had last played football with French club Strasbourg in December 2023 and since the expiry of his contract in June 2024, then went on a club-hunting mission, which ultimately took him to Chloorkop.
Weeks turned to months as he waited to make his debut for The Brazilians and was finally given his break in the Champions League decider against Pyramids FC on June 1.
Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
