Mamelodi Sundowns got closer to the PSL record for most points in a season after beating Royal AM 2-0 on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Royal AM 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 14 May 2024
Venue: Harry Gwala Stadium
Sundowns made three changes to the side that won 1-0 against the same opposition on Saturday, as Bathusi Aubaas, Lesiba Nku and Zuko Mdunyelwa were recalled.
The Brazilians were on the front foot in the opening exchanges and with five minutes on the clock, Aubrey Modiba came close to the opener with a free-kick that dipped just over the crossbar.
Royal AM defended deep and on 16 minutes almost went behind after Modiba unleashed a powerful drive that was pushed away by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
Rulani Mokwena's charges were patient on the ball, in and around Thwihli Thwahla's box and on the half-hour mark Peter had a good chance after he went through in the box but he slipped and fell as he was about to shoot.
With Royal AM pinned back, Neo Maema almost broke the deadlock ten minutes before the interval after his deflected shot hit the inside of the post and fell back kindly on the hands of Nyame.
Shalulile eventually broke the deadlock for the visitors just before the interval with an acrobatic over-head kick in the six-yard box from a rebound after Nyame could not hold onto a shot by Nku.
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Masandawana started the second stanza brightly as eight minutes later Shalulile almost made it 2-0 with a low shot in the box that was parried away by Nyame.Royal AM had a better resistance after the hour-mark and Mokwena introduced fresh legs in attack as Junior Mendieta replaced Tashreeq Matthews and Thapelo Morena came on for Neo Maema.
The Brazilians regained their momentum in the closing stages and with 16 minutes remaining, Nku killed off the game with a sensational diagonal strike away from Nyame.
Marcelo Allende had a big chance to make it 3-0 for Sundowns in added time from the penalty spot after a handball in the box but he fired his shot over the crossbar, but the two goals were enough to secure the win.
The Brazilians need three more points to set a new record tally of points in the PSL era and remain unbeaten with three games left.
Here's how they lined up:
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 28. Mabuza, 31. Jiyane, 14. Matlaba, 15. Shezi, 5. Dlamini, 6. Kobedi, 12. Mahlasela, 34. Thikazi, 44. Sithole, 38. Mashiane
Subs: 32. Ngcobo, 13. Manganyi, 29. Sikakane, 42. Ncobeni, 50. Masuku, 2. Msomi, 77. Cele, 35. Dlamini, 45. George
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. D.Onyango, 44. Mdunyelwa, 17. Modiba, 34. Mvala, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 24. Mbule, 35. Maema, 70. Matthews, 7. Nku, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 36. February, 6. B.Onyango, 14. Mashego, 39. Maboe, 11. Allende, 22. Mabena, 15. Mendieta, 45. Lorch, 27. Morena
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