Mamelodi Sundowns defeated relegation-threatened Free State Stars 1-0 in their Absa Premiership encounter at the James Motlatsi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The home side started the brighter of the two sides and looked threatening when Paulos Masehe and Danny Venter were in possession of the ball.

Sundowns looked to carved out the Free State Stars defence with their long-ball strategy but the defensive-pairing of Thamsanqa Teyise and Thato Thlone stood firm.

Tau should’ve opened the scoring for Pitso Mosimane’s side in the 19th minute when he goy onto the end of Mzikayise Mashaba’s pass, but the forward’s first-touch let him down as the on-rushing Thela Ngobeni came to his sides rescue.

Sundowns continued to probe and were eventually rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Motjeka Madisha volleyed home Billiat’s corner.

The visitors came out in the second-half with more of an attacking intent and almost doubled their advantage when substitute Anthony Laffor ran onto Tau’s great through-ball, but the Liberian’s subsequent effort was ballooned over the bar.

Serame Letsoaka’s side enjoyed a good passage of play as they threw numbers forward in search of the equaliser, however they were let down by some poor-decision making and wasteful finishing.

Laffor should’ve done better with his headed effort in the 65th minute when Langerman’s cross found him unmarked in the area, but he totally miscued his header.

Sundowns thought they had wrapped up all three points in the 80th minute when Kekana’s well-struck free-kick cannoned off the crossbar into the path of Billiat, who failed to get his shot underway.

Sundowns had a flurry of chances to extend their lead in the final ten minutes, but failed to convert any of the chances as they ran out 1-0 victors.

Photo:  Sydney Mahlangu/Backpagepix