Downs beat cross town rivals

Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United served fans a traditional Tshwane derby dish, with all the right ingredients last night at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

The Brazilians consolidated their second position on the log with a 2-1 victory over cross-town rivals Matsatsantsa a Pitori thanks to a brace from Mzikayise Mashaba.

Downs have collected 54 points from 29 games while United managed just 38 from the same number of games and are now seventh in the Absa Premiership.

Keen to make a statement, Downs opened the scoring in the third minute of the tie through a finish from Mashaba after the ball recochetted from Khama Billiat from an Anthony Laffor cross to beat United keeper Ronwen Williams.

But the Brazilians failed to hold on to the lead as they conceded 20 minutes later and Matsatsantsa thought they were back in the game.

New Zealander Jeremy Brockie continued to repay coach Gordon Igesund’s faith in him after tucking away an equaliser in the 23rd minute with a first touch finish from a Thuso Phala cross. It was Brockie’s sixth league goal since joining the club in the January transfer window.

Phala then had a chance for himself to give SuperSport the lead just before the break but his shot went narrowly wide.

The speedster had a chance as well, early in the second half, but Danis Onyango parried the ball away from danger.

Mashaba bagged a brace for Towns in the 61st minute to double Downs’ lead.

Sundowns will finish off the season with a fi xture against the University of Pretoria while Matsatsantsa will face Polokwane City at the weekend.