DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns struck late once again to secure a 1-0 win over AmaZulu on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-0 AmaZulu
Date: 18 September 2022
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Sundowns made three changes to the team that beat Golden Arrows, as Grant Kekana, Erwin Saavedra and Teboho Mokoena were brought in while new signings Terrence Mashego and Bongani Zungu were named on the bench.
The sides were evenly matched in the opening exchanges but the Brazilians upped their intensity the quickest.
As on 17 minutes Themba Zwane had a big chance for the hosts after he dribbled past a couple of challenges clear on goal but his cracking shot came off the crossbar.
Usuthu were looking for chances on counter-attacks and had a big opportunity just before the half-hour mark from a corner but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a double save to deny Sandile Khumalo a tap-in at the back post after he parried away a stinging shot from Gabadinho Mhango.
AmaZulu were quick to close down Sundowns in their last third but Saavedra had a good chance on the stroke of half-time after going through on goal but he dragged his shot wide.
The game opened up in the early stages of the second stanza, with both sides getting chances but not clinical in front of goal.
Sundowns needed a turnaround of fortunes around the hour-mark with a triple change, as Marcelo Allende, Neo Maema and Thapelo Morena all entered the fray.
Morena had an instant impact for Masandawana as he glanced a header just wide moments later and came close again 20 minutes before time with a strike in the box that was brilliantly kept out by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
With the game stretching from end to end, Sundowns gave Mashego his debut five minutes later just minutes before Khuliso Mudau had a goal disallowed for offside.
Usuthu also threatened to get the winner in the dying minutes as Mhango was denied again by Williams with a strike from a tight angle.
The Tshwane giants were persistent going forward in the tail end and Allende eventually snatched the winner at the death with a strike from an acute angle.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Ngobeni, Mudau, Kekana, De Reuck, Jali, Mbule, Mokoena, Zwane, Saavedra, Shalulile
Subs: Pieterse, Morena, Mashego, Mailula, Allende, Mkhulise, Lebusa, Zungu, Meama
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Gumede, Hanamub, Zulu, Khumalo, Buchanan, Makhaula, Maluleka, Mukumela, Mhango, Zuma
Subs: Amonome, Mabiliso, Mgwazela, Mphahlele, Malepe, Brooks, Ceesay, Magaqa, Kunene
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