Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane admitted his side needed the early goals to weather the late storm thrown at his side by an ‘aggressive’ Highlands Park side.

The Brazilians picked up their third league win in a row, after Thapelo Morena and Themba Zwane scored early on to give them a healthy advantage to defend in the encounter.

Downs, who have been battling a congested fixture schedule, had to hold on to their lead when Lindokuhle Mbatha brought one back in the 33rd minute.

Speaking after the game, Pitso admitted that his side needed those early goals to carry them to victory, as he knew that the Downs’ players would start feeling the effects of their fixture pile-up in the second stanza.

‘I told you before the match how they were going to come out. They are stronger and quicker and more aggressive. They had about 15 days’ rest, we just played two days ago,’ Mosimane told SuperSport TV.

‘Thank God we scored early, and we said we must wrap it up as early as possible because we won’t match them in the second period.

‘They are stronger than us. Thanks, we managed to get the goal and I think Thapelo (Morena) could’ve sealed it to make it three.

‘But you can see not many people can come here and get results. It’s a tough place to come to,’ Mosimane concluded.

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