Mamelodi Sundowns moved closer to another DStv Premiership title after defeating Sekhukhune United 2-1 on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Sekhukhune United
Date: 23 April 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Sundowns changed the entire line-up from their narrow defeat against Esperance in the CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg, as Thapelo Morena spearheaded the attack alongside Tashreeq Matthews and Junior Mendieta.
The Brazilians had an ideal start after going ahead within the first minute after Matthews profited from a rebound in the box and placed his shot into the bottom corner.
Sekhukhune could not settle with errors at the back as six minutes later Morena made it 2-0 for the hosts with a strike from a mistake in the box.
Babina Noko quickly got their attacking game going as moments later they threatened from a side-footed shot by Linda Mntambo unmarked in the box that missed just wide and Kamohelo Mokotjo had a free header that was smothered by goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
Sundowns had an injury forced change ten minutes before the break after Denis Onyango was stretcherered off the field and was replaced by Jody February, who got his first appearance of the season.
Rulani Mokwena's charges were in control towards the end of the first stanza but February made a stunning reflex save on the stroke of half-time as he kept out a header by Tresor Yamba.
Sekhukhune had a dream start after Chibuike Ohizu pulled a goal back from a penalty that was awarded after a foul in the box by Brian Onyango on Vusimuzi Mncube.
The Brazilians could not get their usual rhythm going forward and Mokwena injected new energy just before the hour-mark, as Sipho Mbule replaced Mendieta.
However, the hosts kept possession mostly in their own half and with 15 minutes remaining, Babina Noko almost equalised after February kept out a glancing header by Ohizu in the bottom corner.
Sundowns were not in a rush to go forward in the dying minutes, as they ran down the clock and eventually held on to a narrow win that extended their lead at the top of the log to 13 points, with two games in hand.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. D.Onyango, 39. Maboe, 6. B.Onyango, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 7. Nku, 35. Maema, 21. Mkhulise, 27. Morena, 70. Matthews, 15. Mendieta
Subs: 36. February, 14. Mashego, 28. Seabi, 24. Mbule, 31. Nkosi, 32. Buthelezi, 22. Mabena, 9. Esquivel, 10. Sirino
Sekhukhune United: 30. Sangare, 2. Mobbie, 43. Tiwani, 29. Tshibwabwa, 4. Cardoso, 6. Mtshali, 17. Mokwana, 8. Webber, 23. Mntambo, 15. Mkhize, 10. Mncube
Subs: 32. Mtswani, 22. Rikhotso, 36. Ntiya-Ntiya, 47. Carnell, 12. Mokotjo, 48. Sifama, 20. Masiya, 34. Ohizu
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