Sundowns close in on title

TS GALAXY 0 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS (1) 1

Shalulile 17th min

PETER Shalulile’s 11th goal of the season enabled Sundowns to take a giant step closer to retaining their league crown at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit yesterday.

The defending champions, who are aiming for a fourth straight championship, have stretched their lead to seven points and the Brazilians now need just two more wins from their final four games of the season to secure the title.

The home side were well aware of the danger Sundowns posed in attack, particularly the central figure of their former teammate Shalulile, who has been in superb form since transferring to Chloorkop at the beginning of the season.

Promise Mkhuma delivered a scorching ball into the box from a corner, which Galaxy defenders Macbeth Mahlangu and Tumelo Bodibe failed to deal with effectively. Ever the predator, Shalulile reacted fastest to head the bouncing ball past Westen van der Linde in the Galaxy goal in the 17th minute.

The home side looked vulnerable whenever Sundowns whipped in the corners with Lyle Lakay delivering another perfect cross from the lett flank that met Mosa Lebusa’s head, but the deflection went just wide of the near post.

Galaxy had a golden opportunity to level matters on the half-hour mark after a spell of concerted pressure down the right flank by Luckyboy Mokoena.

The opening was eventually created for Bathusi Aubaas, who drilled a powerful shot towards the Sundowns goal which struck Mosa Lebusa on the arm.

The referee had no option but to point to the penalty spot, which allowed Lindokuhle Mbatha to step up in an attempt to level up the game.

Unfortunately for Owen da Gama’s team, Mbatha seemed too casual in his approach and could only look on as Sundowns’ veteran goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene dived to his right to parry the ball the safety.

There were no clearcut chances for either team in the second half as Sundowns controlled possession, not allowing Galaxy any opportunities to create any pressure on their goal.

Sundowns were content to sit on their lead and although they remained dangerous whenever they crossed the ball into the box, they were not able to deliver the killer blow.

It almost came back to haunt them late on when Marks Munyai’s cross caused panic in the Sundowns box.

Former Downs midfielder Khayelihle Shozi found Masilake Phohlongo, who cut past Lebusa, but his strike went high from seven metres, and that was the final chance for the home side as Sundowns’ march to the title continued.