Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways this weekend following a convincing 3-0 victory against Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday night.
Sundowns endured little to no damage throughout the 90 minutes as an own goal by Tresor Yamba, followed by efforts from Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners were enough for Downs to bag maximum points on home soil.
The game commenced at a timid pace at Loftus Versfeld as Sundowns kept most of the ball inside the first 10 minutes. With Sekhukhune sitting back, the Brazilians began probing from the half-way line with patient and precise passing patterns.
After mounting pressure around the Sekhukhune 18-yard-area, Sundowns took the lead courtesy of an own goal by Yamba in the 21st minute of the match. After working the ball down the left hand side of the pitch, Aubrey Modiba whipped in a low cross toward the small box which was subsequently turned into the goal by Yamba after failing to intercept the delivery.
It remained one way traffic by Sundowns after the half-hour mark and continued to dominate the ball possession count. Babina Noko provided the Brazilians with a couple of nervy moments in defence, however, Masandawana did well to keep the Limpopo-outfit at bay throughout the first 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, the score remained 1-0 in favour of Sundowns at the break as Sekhukhune failed to affect the scoreline in the first 45.
Sundowns doubled their lead moments into the new half, after Badra Ali Sangare appeared to have fouled Rayners inside the area. While the Sekhukhune players felt that Sangare did enough to avoid the clash with Rayners, the referee stuck with his decision by pointing to the spot. In stepping up to the penalty, Sales broke his duck with a left-footed effort beyond the Babina Noko keeper.
The reigning league champions looked shaky after scoring their second goal and invited Sekhukhune into their quarters on a couple of occasions en-route to the hour mark. In turn, Babina Noko created a few more chances, none of which really troubled the Sundowns backline.
Babina Noko looked livelier as the game petered out but were unable to make the most of their attacking advancements toward the end of the tie.
Nevertheless, it was Sundowns who eventually had the last laugh as Rayners rounded off the scoreline in the 89th minute. After receiving the ball inside the box, Rayners expertly maneuvered a yard of space to evade his marker before unleashing a shot that went in off the right-hand post.
Meanwhile Chippa United defeated newly-crowned Carling Knockout champions Magesi FC 2-0 in a Betway Premiership clash at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday evening.
Elsewhere Kaizer Chiefs squandered a two-goal lead for the first time in the Betway Premiership this season after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Royal AM at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and AmaZulu FC grabbed the KwaZulu-Natal Derby bragging rights in style as they beat Richards Bay 3-1 in the Betway Premiership match played at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.