Siwelele FC fell 7-4 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the highest-scoring match in PSL history. While the fans loved the 11-goal thriller, Coach Lehlohonolo Seema was less than impressed with the defensive "chaos." Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Head coach Lehlohonolo Seema says Siwelele FC’ dramatic 7-4 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend may have entertained supporters, but it was certainly not the kind of football match he wants to witness from the technical area.
That match was the highest scoring match in PSL-era history.
The Siwelele coach cut a frustrated figure after Saturday’s eleven-goal thriller at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium despite his side showing moments of resilience and attacking quality against the defending champions.
Instead, Seema’s focus centred heavily around the defensive vulnerability his side displayed throughout the afternoon in the Betway Premiership encounter, as Sundowns repeatedly punished them in transition.
“It was a good game for the supporters to watch, but for us coaches it’s not that good, it’s not the kind of game you want to see your team conceding a lot of goals,” he admitted.
The encounter quickly descended into chaos as Sundowns relentlessly attacked in pursuit of improving their goal difference in the Betway Premiership title race against Orlando Pirates.
While Siwelele managed to score four goals themselves — an impressive feat away against the league leaders — Seema made it clear that conceding seven times overshadowed any positives from an entertainment perspective.
For the coach, the game represented exactly the type of tactical disorder he tries to avoid.
“We analysed the goals we conceded in the first half, and the guys raised their hands in the second half,” he explained. “There was not much that you can say, Sundowns weren’t dominating us except when they played balls behind us and that is how we got hurt in the first half.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Seema still acknowledged the effort and bravery shown by his players. Siwelele continued trying to attack even after falling behind heavily and managed to expose gaps in Sundowns’ own defensive structure at times.
The Bloemfontein-based side also remain firmly in the hunt for a Top 8 finish despite the setback.
Prior to the Sundowns defeat, Siwelele had lost only once throughout 2026 and had dramatically shifted from relegation concerns into contention for an MTN8 place following an impressive run of form. With two matches remaining, the belief inside the camp remains strong.
“It would mean a lot for sure. I wasn’t even going to talk about the top eight before we crossed the magic number which is 30 points, now we are on 33,” Seema said. “We can smell blood and we will push for a place in the top eight.”
Siwelele will now look to finish the season strongly when they host relegation-threatened Magesi FC next Saturday in another crucial encounter for both ends of the table.
Still, while the supporters may remember Saturday’s contest as a spectacular advertisement for attacking football, Seema made one thing very clear — from a coaching perspective, it was chaos rather than enjoyment.