Brayan Léon and Mamelodi Sundowns rewrite history. The symbolic team of Matchday 28 in the Betway Premiership according to Dailysports
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The South African Betway Premiership witnessed the showdowns of matchday 28 of the 2025/26 season.
Remarkably, the first five matches all ended in draws, with three of them being goalless stalemates. But it was the fans of Mamelodi and Siwelele who truly got their money's worth, as they played out the highest-scoring match in the tournament's history.
Following the Sundowns, the "Pirates" picked up another victory, defeating Magesi, who are inching ever closer to the Motsepe Foundation. And in the final match of the round, Kaizer Chiefs snatched all three points against Sekhukhune.
All results of matchday 28:
- Durban City — Stellenbosch — 0:0
- TS Galaxy — Chippa United — 1:1
- Golden Arrows — Polokwane — 0:0
- Marumo Gallants — Richards Bay — 1:1
- Orbit College — AmaZulu — 0:0
- Mamelodi Sundowns — Siwelele — 7:4
- Magesi — Orlando Pirates — 0:3
- Sekhukhune — Kaizer Chiefs — 0:2
Dailysports presents the symbolic team of matchday 28 of the South African Betway Premiership.
Goalkeeper: Dumsani Msibi (Chippa United)
Dumsani Msibi was one of the main heroes in the TS Galaxy vs Chippa United (1:1) encounter. The goalkeeper made seven saves, including six from inside the box, and denied a penalty, essentially preserving the draw for his team and emerging as one of the top statistical performers of the round.
Defender: Terrence Mashego (Durban City)
Terrence Mashego won all four of his ground duels, added five out of seven successful aerial contests, and brought stability to Durban's backline with five recoveries, 82% passing accuracy, and composed play in transition, preventing opponents from building attacks down his flank.
Defender: Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu)
Riaan Hanamub delivered a near-flawless performance against ORBIT College, becoming a key figure in his side's defense. He made seven clearances, won most of his duels, and showcased impressive reliability on the ball, completing 85 passes at a 90% accuracy rate without a single mistake in his own half.
- See also: Oswin Appollis says Orlando Pirates wanted more games against Magesi FC but they will take the three
Defender: Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
The "Pirates" keep racking up wins, and Kamogelo Sebelebele continues to impress with his consistency. The defender put in another strong display, anchoring the backline. He won 10 out of 11 ground duels, tallied seven successful tackles, two interceptions, and five clearances, and even got on the scoresheet, making him one of the most dominant two-way players of the round.
Central midfielder: Baggio Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa (Richards Bay)
Baggio Tuli-Ngenovali Nashixwa turned in a powerful, all-action display, standing out as one of the most influential players of the round. He won nine out of 13 ground duels, made six successful tackles and four interceptions, and was a steady presence in ball progression — 86% passing accuracy and active involvement in transitions made him the heartbeat of his team's midfield.
Central midfielder: Nuno Santos (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Nuno Santos put in a highly influential performance against Siwelele, acting as the creative engine of his team's attack. In 68 minutes he delivered an assist, created a clear-cut chance, made seven key passes, and sent in three accurate crosses, constantly tearing apart the opposition's defense and keeping the tempo high in attack.
Central midfielder: Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
Patrick Maswanganyi put in a confident and impactful display against Magesi (3:0), scoring a goal and playing a key role in orchestrating attacks. He created a clear-cut chance, delivered four key passes, and consistently drove the ball forward, remaining one of his team's main attacking catalysts. Notably, he's now reached double digits with 10 accurate strikes this season.
Left winger: Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Tashreeq Matthews delivered a dazzling and highly efficient performance. He struck twice, firing four shots (three on target, including one off the woodwork), and showcased clinical finishing with a 93% pass accuracy and active play between the lines, becoming a key factor in his team's attacking dominance.
Right winger: Makabi Lilepo (Kaizer Chiefs)
Makabi Lilepo was a key figure in Kaizer Chiefs' victory over Sekhukhune United. The winger played the full 90 minutes, provided an assist, won a penalty, and created a clear scoring opportunity, serving as the main source of attacking threat for his team. His relentless pressure, ball progression, and effectiveness in the final third made him one of the standout players of the round.
Centre forward: Brayan Léon (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The Sundowns' winter signing lit up the match against Siwelele, becoming one of the central figures in the attacking spectacle. In just 67 minutes, he bagged a debut hat-trick and provided an assist, firing five shots (all on target) and creating a clear-cut chance, underlining his clinical finishing and constant threat. It's worth noting his consistency for Mamelodi — since January, he's already netted 14 goals for the club, remaining one of the team's most prolific scorers this season.
Centre forward: Ghampani Lungu (Siwelele)
Ghampani Lungu was one of the main protagonists in the wild Sundowns vs Siwelele clash (7:4), netting a hat-trick and almost single-handedly keeping his team's attacking tempo alive. He took three shots — all of which hit the back of the net — created a clear chance, and was heavily involved in ball progression. Notably, this match entered Premiership history as the first ever with two players scoring hat-tricks in the same game.
Head coach: Miguel Cardoso (Mamelodi Sundowns)
The Portuguese tactician is leading Sundowns to yet another South African championship, and has also guided the club to the CAF Champions League final. In matchday 28 of the Betway Premiership, Mamelodi produced a sensational shootout with Siwelele, firing in five goals before halftime for the first time in the 21st century. This match has forever etched itself in South African football history, breaking the scoring record, while the Brazilians put on a truly outstanding attacking display.
