Sundowns accelerate away from challengers
TSHAKHUMA TSHA MADZIVHANDILA (1) 1
Nevhulamba 17
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (1) 3 Coetzee 46+2, Mkhulise 69, Vilakazi 82
STOP us if you can! That was a clear message from defending champions Sundowns, who extended their lead at the top of the Premiership to six points after beating TTM 3-1 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday.
This result ensured that the champions kept their title defence aspirations alive as they are unbeaten and have two games in hand compared to their challengers. TTM, meanwhile, dropped down to 15th on the standings, three points ahead of bottom-placed Black Leopards.
After dropping points for the first time in the CAF Champions League in their last outing in Khartoum against Sudanese side Al Hilal, Sundowns were determined to bounce back to winning ways in the domestic league against TTM.
But that was easier said than done, given that they were on a twogame winless streak after drawing their last league match against strugglers Leopards.
Sundowns’ technical team, knowing what was at stake, started with guns blazing in Polokwane, with the direct intention of finding an early breakthrough which would calm their nerves.
But it was the home side that took the lead early on. Thembisani Nevhulamba, unmarked, beat goalkeeper Denis Onyango with a sumptuous header after being picked out by a delightful set-piece from Thabo Mnyamane.
This forced the Brazilians to come out and throw everything at TTM. They were unlucky not to find the equaliser after Themba Zwane connected with a loose ball before shaving the roof of the net.
Onyango, though, had to ensure that the deficit didn’t double, doing well to block a pin-point shot from Mnyamane. But the Brazilians were not fazed by TTM’s bravery as they piled on the pressure for the equaliser.
It wouldn’t come, though, until first half injury-time. This is because goalkeeper Washington Arubi had come to his team’s rescue until then, denying Thapelo Morena, Peter Shalulile and Rushine de Reuck.
Rivaldo Coetzee was responsible for ensuring that the champions deservedly went into the break level. The Bafana Bafana international headed home from close-range after connecting with a well-executed Gaston Sirino corner in stoppage time.
Sundowns started the second half the same way they ended the first. But some good defensive work from TTM and poor decisions from Sundowns didn’t produce an instant lead for the Brazilians.
After being picked out by a through ball from the engine room, Sirino did well to lob his effort over an onrushing Arubi but Lehlohonolo Nonyane made a goal-line bicyclekick clearance. Sundowns, though, should have scored soon thereafter.
Zwane won a penalty after being brought down by Nonyane inside the box. Sirino stepped up to take the responsibility and clumsily put his effort wide of the target. But Siphelele Mkhulise would give Sundowns the deserved lead.
Lyle Lakay sent a delightful cross that found “Pitso” who guided home the ball with a header. That wouldn’t be the end of it as Sibusiso Vilakazi rattling the roof of the net after being set up by Shalulile.