Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed top spot in the DStv Premiership after defeating SuperSport United in the Tshwane Derby on Wednesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: SuperSport United 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 29 November 2023
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Sundowns made only two changes from their CAF Champions League win over Nouadhibou, as Brian Onyango and Lebogang Maboe were brought in while Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau started from the bench.
Matsatsantsa, meanwhile, were without goalkeeper Ricardo Goss and Etiosa Ighodaro, who could not play against their parent club but they were boosted by the return of Bradley Grobler and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
The Brazilians showed their attacking intentions early on as Lucas Ribeiro Costa had a thunderous shot from outside the box that sailed over the crossbar.
SuperSport had their own threats but Rulani Mokwena's charges settled into a passing rhythm after 20 minutes, looking to create spaces in the last third.
Maboe came close to breaking the deadlock for Masandawana on the half-hour mark with a shot that was cleared off the line by Grant Margeman.
However, Sundowns' persistence paid off moments later after Peter Shalulile made it 1-0 with a strike into the bottom corner after connecting with Maboe.
SuperSport were fired up but they did not use their chances and Sundowns took full advantage, as Costa doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime.
Mokwena made a tactical change at half-time, as he brought on Mokoena in place of Thapelo Morena and Sundowns continued to fashion chances but they were not testing goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
As the game opened up, SuperSport had a chance on 66 minutes from a set-piece after Grobler had space in the six-yard box but his strike missed the target by inches.
With 13 minutes to go, Sundowns could afford to rest Shalulile as he was replaced by the fresh legs of Gaston Sirino.
However, the pace of the game slowed down in the dying minutes, as the Brazilians opened a two-point lead at the top of the table with four games in hand.
Sundowns also set a new record of nine consecutive victories from the start of the league season.
Here's how they lined up:
SuperSport United: Arubi, Johannes, Okon, Margeman, Pfumbidzai, Hlatshwayo, Dzvukamanja, Lakay, Hamza, Lungu, Grobler
Subs: Xulu, Campbell, Baloyi, Dopolo, Moralo, Matodzi, Nange, Rasebotja, Albert
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, De Reuck, Mashego, B.Onyango, Lebusa, Mkhulise, Maboe, Maema, Ribeiro, Morena, Shalulile
Subs: Pieterse, Kekana, Mudau, Ngobeni, Mokoena, Nkosi, Nku, Zwane, Sirino
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