Sundowns now further ahead after win

Mamelodi Sundowns increased their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership standings to four points with a 2-0 win over struggling Maritzburg United at Loftus yesterday.

This was the second win in succession for the Brazilians following the 3-0 success over Orlando Pirates last weekend and they have completely recovered from the mini slump that saw them go three outings without a win.

Before they beat Pirates on Sunday, Sundowns played to goalless draws with fellow title chasers AmaZulu and Golden Arrows.

With this victory secured through goals by Ricardo Nascimento and Gift Motupa, Sundowns have regained their advantage over AmaZulu who have played one more game as they enter the final stretch of the season.

There was nothing much to write about during the opening exchanges and a notable moment came after eight minutes when influential Sundowns midfielder Themba Zwane was stretchered off the field with what looked like a hamstring injury.

A few minutes after Zwane was replaced by Promise Mkhuma, Sundowns attacker Peter Shalulile was denied by the upright and the crossbar in quick succession as Sundowns went all out for the opening goal.

In one of the most notable attacks of the opening half, Maritzburg striker Thabiso Kutumela delivered a telling cross into the box for Bongokuhle Hlongwane but his header went wide after he out jumped Mosa Lebusa.

Sundowns took the lead after 38 minutes when Nascimento sent Maritzburg goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt the wrong way from the penalty spot after Clayton Daniels was judged to have hacked Motupa in the box by referee Abongile Tom.

Despite being a goal down, Maritzburg continued to take the game to Sundowns but were unlucky to find the back of the net.

Just after the hour mark, Maritzburg squandered a good opportunity to draw level when attacker Travis Graham unleashed a tame shot at Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango after he was found unmarked by a cross from Kutumela.

Sundowns, however, sealed the game with a Motupa strike in the 71st minute of the match to secure three points.