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Sundowns extend lead to six points

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Ricardo Nascimento celebrates his goal with Themba Zwane

Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership table to six points after claiming a 1-0 victory over Golden Arrows at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Brazilians came out with intent in the opening exchanges of the game and nearly took the lead as early as the second minute when Gaston Sirino struck the woodwork after a scramble inside the area.

Sibusiso Vilakazi had a chance to hand his side the lead, but the attacking midfielder failed to trouble Maximilian Mbaeva between the sticks as his effort sailed over the target.

Sundowns were then awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after Vilakazi was brought down by Zolani Nkombela. Ricardo Nascimento stepped up and made no mistake to convert the spot-kick.

The home side nearly doubled their lead after 38 minutes when Vilakazi made his way through on goal before unleashing a strike, but it blazed wide of the target.

Sundowns went into the half-time interval with a 1-0 lead over Abafana Bes’thende.

The Brazilians then picked up where they left off in the first half and dominated proceedings as Arrows were forced to sit back and defend.

Themba Zwane had a chance to hand Sundowns the lead in the 56th minute after he was put through on goal by Percy Tau, but the winger fired his shot across the face of goal and wide of the target.

Zwane had another chance to double Sundowns’ lead in the 63rd minute after Tau set him up for the second time, but the winger fired his effort straight into the hands of Mbaeva.

The home side came even closer to extending their lead after 69 minutes, but Vilakazi failed to beat Mbaeva in an one-on-one situation.

Mbaeva came to his side’s rescue in the 80th minute when he produced an acrobatic save to deny Tau’s thunderous strike from outside the box.

Arrows pressed forward in search of an equalising goal but were unable to break down the Sundowns defence as Pitso Mosimane’s side walked away with all three points to extend their lead at the top of the table to six points.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix