Champions Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after a late 1-0 win over Royal AM on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Royal AM
Date: 11 May 2024
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Sundowns made wholesale changes from their goalless draw against Golden Arrows, as they recalled the likes of Peter Shalulile, Sipho Mbule and Tashreeq Matthews while goalkeeper Denis Onyango replaced the suspended Ronwen Williams.
The Brazilians took the game to Royal AM in the early exchanges but only threatened their goal on 15 minutes after Aubrey Modiba fired a shot just over the crossbar.
John Maduka's charges contained Sundowns and had a threatening break just after the half-hour mark after Mfundo Thikazi went through on the left flank but he overhit his cross towards the unmarked Levy Mashiane at the back post.
Masandawana took time to get back into their stride and only came close to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time after Shalulile fired a low strike in the box that was saved by goalkeeper Hugo Nyame.
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Sundowns had a bright start in the second stanza as six minutes from the break Shalulile had a big chance after a cut-back by Thembinkosi Lorch but the Namibian fired his shot over the crossbar.Rulani Mokwena needed fresh legs on the hour-mark as Matias Esquivel and Junior Mendieta replaced Mbule and Matthews.
The Brazilians were patient in their attacks as they looked for gaps in the last third but Royal AM kept their shape well, with numbers behind the ball.
Mokwena had a last throw of a tactical dice in the last 12 minutes after he brought on Lesiba Nku in place of Lorch.
Sundowns finally cracked the code five minutes before time as Nku made an impact with a cross that was headed home by Shalulile.
Shalulile had a big chance to make it 2-0 for the hosts in added time after going through in the centre of the box but fired his shot over, as Sundowns held out for the slim win.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. D.Onyango, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 34. Mvala, 40. Coetzee, 21. Mkhulise, 24. Mbule, 35. Maema, 70. Matthews, 45. Lorch, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 42. Pieterse, 44. Mdunyelwa, 41, Mashego, 19. Aubaas, 11. Allende, 9. Esquivel, 15. Mendieta, 7. Nku, 27. Morena
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 14. Matlaba, 24. Lingwati, 28. Mabuza, 50. Masuku, 12. Mahlasela, 5. Dlamini, 6. Kobedi, 38. Mashiane, 15. Shezi, 34. Thikazi
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 8. Ncobeni, 30. Gamildien, 9. Macuphu, 13. Manganyi, 29. Sikakane, 77. Cele, 33. Sera, 35. Dlamini
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