Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the Absa Premiership following their 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Ernst Middendorp’s side came into this encounter high in confidence following their 6-0 aggregate victory over Elgeco Plus in their two-legged fixture in the Caf Confederation Cup.
In the Absa Premiership they currently sit seventh on the league standings with 21 points from 15 games.
Meanwhile, Pitso Mosimane’s men will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the PSL, while ending the year playing continental football following their 4-0 aggregate win over Al-Ahli Benghazi in the Caf Champions League.
In the Premiership, the Brazilians are placed sixth on the table with 22 points after 12 games played so far this season.
The visitors came out guns blazing and took the lead as early as the third minute when Gaston Sirino played a great ball into the path of Anthony Laffor, who tapped the ball in from close range.
Willard Katsande levelled matters in the 14th minute when he was left open at the far post to head the ball home, 1-1.
Laffor should have handed his side the six minutes later, but his shot was kept out by the Amakhosi defence.
However, the game went into the half-time interval with the scoreline locked at 1-1.
The Glamour Boys came out the better side in the second half and had a chance to take the lead when George Maluleka sent a good ball into the path of Bernard Parker, who narrowly put his effort wide of the target.
Sundowns threatened with a chance in the 51st minute, but Lebogang Maboe was let down by a poor pass by Sirino.
Amakhosi started to dominate proceedings after the hour mark and maintained most of the possession in the middle of the park.
Parker should have put his side ahead after 68 minutes, but he failed to direct his glancing header on target.
Sundowns then restored their lead in the 80th minute when Maboe slotted the ball home from close range following an error by Chiefs keeper Virgil Vries.
Both side’s pressed forward in the closing stages of the game, but Sundowns held on to their 2-1 lead over Chiefs until the final whistle to claim all three points at the FNB Stadium.