Mamelodi Sundowns defeated SuperSport United 1-0 at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Wednesday evening in an Absa Premiership encounter, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Pitso Mosimane opted to field the same squad that thrashed SuperSport United 5-0 just under a week ago, while Stuart Baxter made three changes to his squad that suffered the humiliating defeat. He has brought in Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba to replace Reyaad Pieterse, Mandla Masango and Thuso Phala.
The home side got off to a nervy start and were almost punished in the first minute when Aubrey Modiba’s stray pass resulted in a Sundowns counter-attack, which Khama Billiat flashed just wide of the post after a great pass by Percy Tau.
SuperSport barely threatened in the opening ten minutes of the encounter as they looked to contain the visitors from turning their lion’s share of possession into goals.
Ronwen Williams did well to tip Hlompho Kekana’s stinging free-kick over the bar in the 22nd minute.
Masandawana dominated the possession stakes, but failed to create any clear-cut chances in the latter stages of the first half, with SuperSport content to get numbers behind the ball.
Onyango made an excellent save to keep his side at bay when he denied Clayton Daniels, after the defender did well to shake off the attention of his marker, before unleashing a powerful effort, which Onyango palmed over.
Sundowns came out in the second half with more of an attacking intent, but struggled to find their way past a resilient SuperSport defence.
The Brazilians introduced Teko Modise, Thabo Nthethe and Anthony Laffor in place of Mzikayise Mashaba, Ricardo Nascimento and Themba Zwane, while SuperSport introduced Mandla Masango and Thuso Phala for Aubrey Modiba and Kingston Nkhatha.
Sundowns found the back of the net in the 82nd minute when Kekana got on to the end of Teko Modise’s free-kick to head it past Williams and hand his side the lead.
The visitors managed to hold on to their one-goal lead to claim a hard-fought 1-0 victory, despite SuperSport’s late surge.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City’s title aspirations took a knock after they played to a 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Cape Town Stadium. Phakamani Mahlambi’s first-half penalty was canceled out by Tshepo Gumede’s header.
Polokwane City registered their first victory of 2017 when they secured a 1-0 victory against Platinum Stars in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, with Thapelo Tshilo getting the only goal of the game.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix
