Late twist leaves tie finely poised after Sundowns and Polokwane share the spoils
Mamelodi Sundowns were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against Polokwane City in an MTN8 quarterfinal at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening, 8 August 2026. The result, reported live by VAVEL, leaves the tie open and hands the visitors a morale-boosting away goal to take into the next meeting.
| Match | Kick-off | Venue | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mamelodi Sundowns v Polokwane City | 18:00 | Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, Pretoria | MTN8 quarterfinal |
Match flow and key moments
Polokwane opened the scoring early and looked organised in the opening stages, executing a clear game plan that tested Sundowns' defensive shape. Sundowns responded, showing the kind of sustained pressure and higher tempo the home fans expect, and overturned the deficit to lead 2-1.
But the contest swung again when Polokwane's Tidimalo Molokwane levelled, restoring parity and changing the momentum. VAVEL's live coverage described the equaliser as a significant shift:
"What a response from Polokwane City! Tidimalo Molokwane restores parity and completely changes the momentum of the match." — VAVEL live updates
The game finished 2-2 in the second half, a scoreline that reflects the tactical chess between the teams and highlights finishing as a shared area for improvement.
Squad news and context
Heading into the fixture, Sundowns' season curtain-raiser had already been disrupted when their PSL opener against Marumo Gallants was postponed following the tragic passing of midfielder Jayden Adams. The one-match delay raised questions about emotional readiness, and pundits had flagged a possible toll on the squad's composure.
Injury concerns persisted: Arthur Sales was reported doubtful due to an injury carried from last season. New signings Antonio van Wyk and Siyanda Ndlovu, who joined Sundowns on the Austria training camp, were expected to feature and provide fresh options for coach Masandawana.
Polokwane travelled to Pretoria on the back of momentum after a 2-1 away win at Richards Bay in their PSL opener. Under head coach Willy Moloto, the Limpopo side finished seventh last season and have publicly targeted a top-four finish, ambitions that were sharpened by the result at Lucas Moripe.
- Score: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-2 Polokwane City
- Competition: MTN8 quarterfinal
- Venue: Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium
What this means for Mamelodi Sundowns and fans
For Sundowns, the draw is a reminder that home advantage and a stacked squad do not guarantee straightforward progress in cup football. The result will force the coaching staff to reassess finishing in the final third and defensive concentration across 90 minutes. For Mamelodi supporters, the match delivered both the excitement of a comeback and the frustration of conceding late.
Polokwane leave with a valuable away goal and renewed belief. The visitors' resilience — bouncing back from going behind and finding a late equaliser — will be a talking point in Limpopo, and it puts pressure on Sundowns to be sharper in the return fixture.
Practical details from the pre-match coverage remain relevant for supporters who followed the game live: the fixture kicked off at 18:00, and broadcast access included SuperSport via DStv.com and the DStv Now app, as reported ahead of kick-off.
Both teams will now regroup and prepare for the next phase of the tie. Sundowns must find a way to translate territory and possession into decisive moments, while Polokwane will aim to use this result as a springboard for a historic cup run.
The MTN8 quarterfinal tie is finely balanced. Mamelodi residents and Sundowns supporters should expect another tense meeting when the sides meet again.
