Mamelodi Sundowns registered a second win on the bounce following an excellent 2-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows in a DSTV Premiership match on Saturday.
A goal from Peter Shalulile gave Bafana Ba Style the lead going into the break. The visitors pulled one back early in the restart of the second half, but a deflection on Themba Zwane’s shot sealed the win for The Brazilians. Downs also handed Sifiso Ngobeni his debut in the evening’s encounter.
The opening 15 minutes were frantic for both teams, the two sides looked to settle in and find their rhythm. Downs defender Khuliso Mudau was involved in an alarming clash to the head and went down to the ground to receive treatment. After the right back was assessed and sent back into action, he showed to be alert and prepared to stop the visitors’ counter attack.
Moments later Shalulile almost struck first, the Namibian forward lost his man and connected with Mudau’s incoming cross, his effort was denied by Nkosingiphile Gumede! Despite the hosts showing intent, Abafana Best’thende did not hold back and forced Ronwen Williams to make the save from the effort that came in from distance.
Shalulile missed another opportunity after the half hour, the striker’s attempt at goal from a narrow angle had everyone sitting at the edge of their seats. As the first half was reaching the end with both teams unable to break the deadlock, The Brazilians talisman pounced forward and came face to face with the goalkeeper who fouled him in the box. After the referee pointed to the penalty spot, Shalulile stepped up and buried his spot kick to give the home team the lead going into the break.
The visitors came out in the second half and pushed forward in the early stages of replay, Pule Mmodi pulled one back for Arrows from a throw-in and leveled the score line. But parity in the scoreline would last just 10 minutes before Zwane put Downs ahead once again, Mshishi’s cut back into the box deflected on Siyavuya Ndlovu and beat his own goalkeeper.
Downs made three changes at the start of the hour mark, sending on Neo Maema, Erwin Saavedra and Teboho Mokoena in place of Sipho Mbule, Sphelele Mkhulise and Allende. Just before 70 minutes, Shalulile got away with spee to make his way into the box, his pass towards goal was cleared by the Arrows defense. Maema shortly followed with his first attempt, after lining up a strike from distance his effort edges the crossbar.
The Brazilians’ attempt to find another goal continued for another 10 minutes, Mokoena attempted from a distance to test Gumede, but could not find Gumede. Masandawana remained at the top of the DStv Premiership log with the game ending with a successful 2-1 victory at home.
