Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns increased their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership to 18 points with a narrow 2-0 win over AmaZulu at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe stadium.
The slippery surface in Atteridgeville due to afternoon showers made it difficult for Sundowns to find their rhythm in order to settle into their passing game.
The best chance of the opening half fell to Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams who unleashed a venomous strike from outside the box, but Veli Mothwa parried the ball away for a corner kick in the 16th minute.
Amazulu coach, Arthur Zwane, would have been encouraged with his side’s defensive organisation. They maintained their shape and restricted the reigning champions to a few openings in the first half.
It was goalless at the break after a lukewarm display by both teams but that all changed six minutes after the restart when Peter Shalulile opened the scoring.
The defending champions exerted more pressure on Usuthu after the restart, and they finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Shalulile fired past Mothwa to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
The hosts continued to launch attacks in the latter stages of the match and inspired substitute Arthur Sales sealed Sundowns’ 2-0 win in the 88th minute when he turned well in the box and fired past Mothwa.
Meanwhile Stellenbosch FC put in a gritty performance to hold Orlando Pirates to a 0-0 draw at the Athlone Stadium on Tuesday evening, despite being reduced to 10 men for over an hour of their match in the Betway Premiership.
Elsewhere TS Galaxy outclassed SuperSport United 3-1 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and Magesi FC claimed a key win in their quest to secure Betway Premiership survival, defeating fellow strugglers Richards Bay 1-0 at the Seshego Stadium on Tuesday evening.