A late strike from Sibusiso Vilakazi handed Mamelodi Sundowns a tight 1-0 win over Polokwane City at Loftus Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilians came into the game looking to bounce back from the 1-1 draw with Bidvest Wits on Wednesday evening as they look to hunt down log leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Their opposition though were looking for their first win under new boss Clinton Larsen on the back of eight straight defeats.

Pitso Mosimane’s chargers started the game looking to impose themselves on their opponents by dominating possession but couldn’t take advantage of their first opening with Sphelele Mkhulise missing from close range

The young midfielder then missed another golden opportunity just after the half hour mark when he smashed his shot over the bar when slipped through one-on-one with the keeper.

The second half quickly fell into the same pattern of the first with Downs having a lot of the ball but struggling to make any clear-cut opportunities.

With time running it down it looked as though the game was going to peter out to a 0-0 draw but with four minutes remaining Thapelo Morena made a surging run into the box before squaring the ball back to Vilakazi who made no mistake with the finish.