Siyanda Ndlovu celebrated his 24th birthday by winning his first trophy with Mamelodi Sundowns FC. The club secured a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli Saudi at Loftus Versfeld Stadium last Saturday, a result that keeps their hopes of reaching the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final firmly alive. That win was part of a dominant domestic run that sees Sundowns sitting top of the Premier Soccer League standings with 20 points from eight games.
The young attacker, who joined from Golden Arrows in the recent transfer window, came off the bench for the final eight minutes of the final. His brief appearance, totalling eight goal minutes, coincided perfectly with his birthday. Head coach Miguel Cardoso has included Ndlovu in his plans as the squad competes on multiple fronts this season, with the team's recent form showing four wins and a draw from their last five matches across all competitions.
Ndlovu was overjoyed with the occasion. "I don’t even know what to say, the way I’m so happy," he said. "And this happened during my birthday, it’s massive to me." He said his ambition is to win more trophies and eventually play against PSG, aiming to build on the momentum from a victory that also featured goals from N. Santos.
The immediate focus for the league leaders is a domestic trip to face Richards Bay on 17 October. In the wider picture, the victory over Al Ahli Saudi was a key step towards a potential Intercontinental Cup final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain. To get there, Sundowns must first overcome the winner of the Derby of the Americas.
The report in full is at thepost.co.za
