Sundowns benefit from a controversial decision as they open 13-point lead.

By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

DStv Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns stretched their lead to 13 points with their 16th victory of the season, edging bottom-placed Cape Town Spurs 1-0 at Athlone Stadium in wet Cape Town on Wednesday.

Sundowns dominated the first half and had more than 70 per cent of the possession as they gave everything they had in the attack from the very first whistle.

The Pretoria outfit were relentless and tested the Cape Town Spurs’ defence a number of times before finding the breakthrough.

It eventually became too much for Spurs as they had to do a large amount of defending.

By the 18th minute, Lucas Ribeiro had already produced two shots in quick succession as the Brazilians easily settled into the game on away turf.

Spurs’ Ashley Cupido had an opportunity to threaten the defence as he made an attempt at goal on the volley but his effort was well wide.

Sundowns appeared to benefit from a controversial decision by referee Thabo Mkhabela five minutes before the end of first half. Mkhabela pointed to the spot when striker Peter Shalulile was fouled by Asenele Velebayi in an incident that looked to have taken place on the edge of the area rather than inside.

The spot kick was taken by Ribeiro, who calmly buried the penalty to open the scoring in the 42nd minute as the half drew to a close.

Cape Town Spurs went into the break a goal behind, and did well to not concede more than one goal.

The second half was more promising from the Urban Warriors but the Downs defence was set up very well and they defended every threat. 

The away team continued applying pressure well into the last 20 minutes of the match.

Liam Bern had a chance when Spurs were awarded a free-kick just outside the box but his effort was not enough to cause a serious problem.

Junior Mendieta came close to doubling the lead for Sundowns in the 82nd minute but his effort hit the defenders.

The Urban Warriors kept showing determination to level matters even though they were severely under pressure and were awarded a set piece in the 84th minute as Keagan Buchanan put the ball into the box.

A chance came once again as the ball went back into the danger zone but the ball hit the crossbar from Cupido’s shot at the back post in what was a nervy closing five minutes for Sundowns.

Despite facing more pressure in the final stages of the match, the league leaders held onto their lead and collected three points in the DStv Premiership as Cape Town Spurs remained confined to 16th position.

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