Mamelodi Sundowns remain on course to finish the DStv Premiership season unbeaten after defeating Cape Town Spurs 1-0 on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Cape Town Spurs 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 09 April 2024
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Sundowns made four changes from their penalty shootout win over Young Africans in the CAF Champions League quarter-final second-leg, as Sphelele Mkhulise, Neo Maema, Mothobi Mvala and Terrence Mashego were recalled.
Spurs were quick to close down the Brazilians in the opening exchanges and within the first six minutes, Asenele Velebayi came close to giving them the lead with a strike at the near post that stretched goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Rulani Mokwena's charges took time to get into their rhythm but they had a clear chance on 24 minutes after Maema fired a shot just wide unmarked in the box after a square pass by Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
The visitors gained control of the game after that as they pinned Ernst Middendorp's men back into their own half but they were kept at bay.
The Brazilians' pressure paid off just before the interval after they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Velebayi on Peter Shalulile in the box, although replays did show the contact was made outside of the box.
Nevertheless, Costa made no mistake from the spot-kick, as he broke the deadlock for Sundowns from the spot for his 11th league goal of the season.
The Brazilians were quick off the blocks from the break, as ten minutes later Shalulile had a chance with a volley in the box that missed wide.
Spurs eventually got into the game after the hour-mark as Ashley Cupido had a big chance in the box with a strike that was blocked from finding a gaping net by Mvala.
The Urban Warriors had a penalty claim 20 minutes before time after a tackle by Mvala on Cupido in the box but the referee was not persuaded.
With the game stretching from end to end, Mokwena injected fresh legs moments later, as Junior Mendieta, Tashreeq Matthews and Thapelo Morena entered the fray.
Spurs were spirited in attack and with six minutes to go, Cupido came very close to the equaliser with a diagonal volley at the back post that came off the crossbar.
Sundowns slowed down the tempo of the game in the dying minutes and eventually held on to a narrow win that extended their lead at the top of the standings to 13 points.
Here's how they lined up:
Cape Town Spurs: 43. Boshoff, 6. Moroole, 24. Dortley, 42. Gumede, 33. Butsaka, 34. Bern, 36. Mkwali, 37. Baartman, 17. Velebayi, 40. Kamagi, 29. Cupido.
Subs: 1. Dlamini, 9. Ralani, 10. Buchanan, 14. Morton, 20.Radiopane, 22. Moosa, 44. Farmer, 45. Maduna, 50. Maphathe
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 25. Mudau, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 14. Mashego, 4. Mokoena, 21. Mkhulise, 35. Maema, 18. Zwane, 23. Ribeiro, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 14. D. Onyango, 6. B.Onyango, 27. Morena, 19. Aubaas, 15. Mendieta, 9. Esquivel, 22. Mabena, 70. Matthews, 7. Nku
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