Sundowns stake early claim to PSL title
MAMELODI Sundowns continued to assert their intention of claiming the Absa Premiership crown when they beat University of Pretoria in the Tshwane derby last night.
The win for Sundowns will be reason enough for coach Pitso Mosimane to continue talking with confidence when it comes to his side’s prospects for the season, as Downs consolidated their lead on the log. The win became the side’s sixth in nine games this season.
It might be early days in the Premiership, but the talkative Mosimane could be on the verge of bringing back trophies to the Downs cabinet if his side continues this good form. The only two previous PSL meetings between the sides had ended in 1-1 draws.
Having suffered a 1-0 defeat in the midweek varsity derby against Wits, AmaTuks’ woes deepened as they were defeated for the fifth time in nine games this season.
Downs on the other hand seem to be on the up, consolidating their place at the summit of the table, with the solitary defeat to Polokwane City the only dent in their campaign.
Sundowns had the one-goal advantage at the half-time break having gone 2-1 up in an evenly matched first half.
Things got heated in the second half as the game became more physical, with hard tackles coming thick and fast. The flared tempers and tackles soon led to a sending-off. Tuks played the last 20 minutes a man down after midfielder Mpho Matsi received a red card in the 58th minute for an illegal tackle on Downs’ ace Khama Billiat.
It took two minutes for Sundowns to take the lead through a Cuthbert Malajila goal. Grant Kekana got the varsity side back into the game when he scored five minutes later.
Continuing his good form, Billiat, one of two changes made by Mosimane from the previous league game, put his name on the scorers’ sheet as Downs regained the lead in the 28th minute.
AmaTuks continued to fight for the equaliser and came closest with five minutes left in the first half with a long-range strike by winger Khethukuthula Zwane.
The biggest cheer of the night came when Sundowns veteran Surprise Moriri took off his tracksuit to go on.
But it was half-time substitute Rodney Ramagalela who put the game beyond Tuks’ reach in added time. ýIn the late games, Kaizer Chiefs beat Bidvest Wits 2-1 at the FNB Stadium. Kingston Nkhatha scored for Chiefs and his replacement Lehlohonolo Majoro got the winner after Ryan Chapman had pulled one back for Wits. Bennett Chenene, Bradley Grobler and David Mathebula gave SuperSport United a 3-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. Free State Stars beat Polokwane City via a Vukile Mngqibisa own goal at Goble Park.
Earlier, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Ajax Cape Town drew goalless draw. On Friday night, goals by Henrico Botes and Tintswalo Tshabalala saw Platinum Stars beat Maritzburg United 2-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium.