Downs back in second place

Koketso Ramorei

Mamelodi Sundowns returned to second position in the Absa Premiership following a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Platinum Stars yesterday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Downs trail Kaizer Chiefs by an unassailable 15 points with just two games remaining.

The result sees Dikwena languish in 13th position – not yet out of the relegation woods.

Sundowns opened the scoring through Man-of-the-Match Hlompho Kekana’s (above) 14th-minute piledriver from the edge of the box to beat Stars keeper Kabelo Dambe.

But it was Stars who made their intentions known early on. In fact, it was in the fourth minute when Stars winger Tlou Segolela evaded Tebogo Langerman, cutting inside to force Downs goalkeeper Denis Onyango into a fine save.

But it mattered little in the greater scheme of things. Downs were a team desperate to finish in second to secure a spot in the Caf Champions League next season after surrendering the league title to eventual champions Chiefs.

Katlego Mashego doubled the Brazilians’ lead, scoring his second goal of the season, this time from a freekick outside the area following an assault on Zimbabwean striker Khama Billiat by Dikwena captain Vuyo Mere.

But Stars were determined not to go down without giving a proper response. Alexandra-born Letladi Madubanya pulled one back for his team with a diving header on the stroke of half-time to make it 2-1.

Stars were reduced to 10 men after Solomon Mathe was sent off for a second bookable offence, this time on lanky Downs midfielder Bongani Zungu.

Stars kept battling right to the