Mamelodi Sundowns kickstarted their DStv Premiership title defence off with a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.
The Brazilians got off to the perfect start when Sekhukhune was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box resulting in a penalty. Peter Shalulile stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-0.
Sekhukhune were then reduced to 10-men in the 16th minute when Vusumzi Mncube received a red card after a dangerous tackle on Tebogo Mokoena.
Sundowns had a chance to double their lead in the 20th minute but Aubrey Modiba saw his powerful shot saved by Badra Ali Sangaré.
Shalulile had a chance to complete his brace nine minutes later but the Sundowns frontman was denied by the Sekhukhune keeper.
The Tshwane giants should’ve bagged their second goal on the stroke of half time when Marcelo Allende was his curling effort sailed inches wide of the upright as the game went into the half time break.
Rulani Mokwena opted to make a substitution early in the second half as Aubrey Modiba was replaced by Thapelo Maseko.
Sundowns eventually doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Lucas Ribeiro Costa bagged his first goal for the club after great pressing from Maseko.
Sekhukhune managed to pull a goal back just after the hour mark when Jamie Webber found the back of the net to make it 2-1.
The Brazilians should have bagged a third goal in the 68th minute but Shalulile could not get on the end of Lucas’s ball into the box.
Mokwena opted to make another substitution two minutes later when he introduced Neo Maema in place of goalscorer Lucas Ribeiro before bringing on Junior Mendieta in place of Themba Zwane.
Sundowns were reduced to 10-men in the 85th minute after Rivaldo Coetzee received his marching orders for retaliation.
Mokwena made a doubled substitution in stoppage time when he brought on Bongani Zungu and Grant Kekana in place of Shalulile and Allende.
However, Sundowns held on to their lead until the final whistle to secure a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United and claim all three points in Polokwane.
Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
