Downs sink Ajax to open four-point gap
Vila nets winner in tough away tie
Having missed three of four Mamelodi Sundowns’ last matches, including consecutive defeats to Cape Town City and Polokwane City respectively, the return to the starting line-up of Sibusiso Vilakazi proved vital in the Brazilians’ 2-1 win over Ajax Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium last night.
Before last night, Vilakazi had last played in Sundowns’ 1-0 win over Maritzburg United in mid-December.
His winner saw the leaders extend their lead ,at the summit, by four points over second-placed Cape Town City.
Vilakazi replaced George Lebese from the starting lineup that did duty in a 3-2 defeat to Polokwane City last Saturday.
His combination with Percy Tau troubled the Urban Warriors’ defence for the better part of the game.
Despite drawing the first blood through new signing Fagrie Lakay, who joined on loan from SuperSport United, in the 26th minute, Sundowns dominated the first stanza during which they overturned the deficit in a matter of minutes.
Their dominance paid off as they came from behind to lead 2-1 before the half time break after Brazilian-born defender Ricardo Nascimento brought the Tshwanebased outfit back to the match, making no mistake from the spot, after Issac Nhlapo was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.
A minute later, Vilakazi grabbed the winner after an inviting Tau cross.
The defeat left Muhsin Ertugral’s troops rooted in position 15 on the log. It was their second loss in a row after going 2-1 down to Maritzburg last week.
Sundowns next face Orlando Pirates at Loftus Stadium on Saturday.