Sundowns edge closer to premiership title victory
Log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns need just six points from a possible 12 to clinch the Dstv Premiership title after beating TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday.
The success in Nelspruit put Downs on 57 points and six more points will inspire them to 63, while second-placed Amazulu can only reach 62 points at most.
Peter Shalulile netted the decisive strike, his 11th in the league this term inside 20 minutes.
In the middle of the park, Andile Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee enabled the Brazilians to take control of the match by winning most of the second balls better than their Galaxy counterparts in Mlungisi Mbunjana and Bathusi Aubaas.
In the second half, Downs showed experience, protecting their lead by knocking the ball about patiently.
Downs also have goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene to thank for the win.
Zambian-born Mweene saved Lindokuhle Mbatha’s spot-kick in the first stanza.
Mosa Lebusa handled the ball inside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to award the penalty to the hosts.
Downs’ players didn’t even protest the decision.
After being stretchered off early in the first half of their 2-0 home win over Maritzburg United last Wednesday, influential attacker Themba Zwane couldn’t make the match day squad on Sunday.
Zwane’s absence saw prodigy Promise Mkhuma, who had replaced him against Maritzburg, start.
Khuliso Mudau also got a rare nod to start at right-back position, a slot Thapelo Morena has made his own at Chloorkop.
Morena settled for a spot on the bench.
Perhaps he was rested for the titanic Caf Champions League clash quarterfinal clash away to Egyptian giants Al Ahly on Saturday, while Downs’ firstchoice goalkeeper, Denis Onyango, also didn’t make the team, with Mweene taking his berth.
The Rockets also made some modifications from the XI that beat Cape Town City 1-0 in their previous league outing last Saturday.
The notable change was that of Marlon Heugh who started in goal in the absence of an injured Wensten van der Linde.
Mxolisi Macuphu, who started on the bench against City, spearheaded Galaxy’s attack ahead of Wayde Lekay, who had started against the Citizens.