Orlando Pirates are celebrating after Mamelodi Sundowns lost their final game of the season, ending the campaign on 68 points.
A win for the Buccaneers against Durban City at the Orlando Stadium will confirm Orlando Pirates as the 2025/26 Betway Premiership champions.
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BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: TS GALAXY 3-2 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
The thrilling performance also allowed the Rockets to celebrate survival by securing their top-flight status for next season.
The game exploded into life from the very first whistle with both teams attacking at full speed.
Just two minutes in, TS Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana nearly gifted Sundowns the opener after losing possession in a dangerous area.
Arthur Sales suddenly found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Ira Tape. But the shot-stopper reacted sharply to deny the Brazilian with a strong save.
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TS GALAXY GO AHEAD
Galaxy responded quickly and were handed a golden opportunity moments later. Sundowns defender Zuko Mdutyelwa brought down Seluleko Mahlambi inside the penalty area.
Victor Letsoalo stepped up in the seventh minute and calmly sent Ronwen Williams the wrong way to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Galaxy continued to trouble Sundowns with direct attacking football and doubled their advantage in the 18th minute.
Mahlambi led a rapid counter-attack before releasing Sedwyn George on the right wing. The tall forward drove into space before firing a low right-footed strike beyond Williams to make it 2-0.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FIGHT BACK
Despite looking rattled early on, Kabo Yellow slowly found rhythm going forward and pulled one back eight minutes before halftime.
Nuno Santos delivered a dangerous cross into the area and Brayan Leon rose highest to power home a header for 2-1 in the 37th minute.
The visitors were then handed another lifeline just before the break when Mpho Mvelase handled the ball inside the area.
Leon stepped up confidently from the penalty spot in the 40th minute and buried the equaliser to complete Sundowns’ comeback before halftime.
GALAXY REFUSE TO BACK DOWN
The second half started just as wildly as the first. Only a minute after the restart, Galaxy struck again through another quick attacking move.
Siphesihle Maduna burst forward before squaring the ball to Mvela inside the box, who tapped into an open net to restore the hosts’ lead at 3-2.
The match then turned into a chaotic end-to-end contest with both teams creating chances freely. Williams and Tape were repeatedly called into action as neither side showed any intention of sitting back.
Sundowns pushed hard for another equaliser late in the match, but Galaxy defended bravely to hold onto a massive victory.
The result leaves TS Galaxy on 31 points, enough to secure their Betway Premiership status for next season.
A win for Pirates against Durban City in Soweto on Saturday will crown the Sea Robbers champions for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
