Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continued their perfect start to the 2026 Hollywoodbets Super League season with a commanding 4–0 victory over Copperbelt Ladies at Baroka Village on Saturday.
The result extended Banyana Ba Style’s winning run to nine consecutive matches, while they also maintained their remarkable defensive record of not conceding a single league goal this season.
Having anticipated a difficult encounter against a Copperbelt side expected to defend in a compact shape, the Brazilians were patient in their approach and eventually found the breakthrough in the 35th minute.
Melinda Kgadiete opened the scoring, giving the visitors a deserved advantage after sustained pressure. Just three minutes later, Sundowns doubled their lead when Isabella Ludwig found the back of the net in the 38th minute.
The two-goal advantage gave the Champions greater control of the contest heading into the second half, but they continued to approach the game with discipline and patience.
Red-hot Refilwe Tholakele added a third in the 65th minute, further strengthening Sundowns’ grip on the match before Boitumelo Rabale completed the scoring in the 80th minute to secure a comprehensive 4–0 victory.
After the game, Ronnel Donnelly explained that the team had specifically prepared for Copperbelt’s defensive approach and remained committed to the game plan throughout the encounter.
“Coming into the game, the coaches prepared us for a team that would use a low block, so we knew we had to be patient and find ways to break the lines. We worked on moving the ball quickly, creating spaces and making sure that we stayed together as a team.”
She added that the collective approach was important in eventually creating and converting opportunities.
“I think we did that really well today. We played for each other, we kept moving the ball and we continued to look for opportunities. Once we found the spaces, we were able to take our chances and score goals. The most important thing was that we stayed together and trusted the plan and that helped us get the result.”
While Sundowns’ attacking performance produced four goals, their defensive display was once again outstanding. The reigning Champions kept another clean sheet against Copperbelt, extending their remarkable run to 15 consecutive clean sheets. That streak began with the final six matches of last season, in which Sundowns did not concede a goal and has continued through all nine matches of the 2026 season. In total, Banyana Ba Style have now gone 15 consecutive league matches without conceding!
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini praised the collective effort behind another clean sheet, emphasizing that the defensive record is the product of the entire team’s work.
“The game went well, and I am really proud of everyone who was on the pitch today. The team spirit was excellent and everyone executed what we needed to do. We prepared well for the game, we took our chances when they came and we were also disciplined defensively.”
For Dlamini, maintaining the clean-sheet record provides an important foundation for Sundowns’ continued success.
“When you keep clean sheets, you give yourself a very high possibility of winning games. It shows the hard work that everyone is putting in, not only the defenders and the goalkeeper but the whole team. We have to continue with that mentality and keep working together.”
With nine wins from nine matches and still no goals conceded, Sundowns Ladies continue to set the pace in the early stages of the campaign. Their latest performance also showed that they can remain patient against a compact opponent before eventually finding the spaces needed to turn pressure into goals.
