By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC in a DStv Premiership match at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the result bringing the champions a new points record.
Sundowns won the match courtesy of a strike midway through the second half from Lesiba Nku, with the victory taking them to a total of 72 points – eclipsing their previous mark of 71 set in the 2015-16 season.
That record is for a 30-game season in the PSL, but the Tshwane giants could yet surpass the overall record of 75 points (set by Sundowns in 1998-99 & 1999-00 and Kaizer Chiefs in 1998-99 when a season was 34 games), as they have two league fixtures remaining.
In addition, Downs are now unbeaten in 52 consecutive league matches and just two short of completing a full undefeated league campaign.
As for Stellies, the defeat was not as costly as it could have been, as they remain in second place and on course to qualify for next season’s CAF Champions League, as third-placed Orlando Pirates lost 1-0 away to TS Galaxy in a concurrent match.
Stellenbosch were the more aggressive team in the early minutes, creating a few promising attacking moments, though they did not truly trouble Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Sundowns then had their first threat on goal in the 20th minute, as Lesiba Nku headed on target from Aubrey Modiba’s cross, but the effort was easily saved by Sage Stephens.
Ten minutes later Stephens made a superb reaction save to keep out a close-range volley from Peter Shalulile, after great work by Thembinkosi Lorch down the left flank.
On 32 minutes Stellenbosch were awarded a debatable penalty when Iqraam Rayners went down under a challenge from Bathusi Aubaas. Rayners himself took the spot kick, but saw his shot turned away by Williams to keep the score line blank.
Just before the interval Sundowns missed out on the chance to break the deadlock when Shalulile headed over the top, though the cross from Modiba had so much pace on it that the striker had little chance of re-directing the ball successfully.
Goalless at the break, Stellies had the first chance after the restart, but Devon Titus drove a shot into the side netting from the right of the penalty area.
Sundowns created pressure through their domination of possession and almost went ahead in the 58th minute when Lorch drove a low shot on target, but Stephens made a sharp save with his legs.
The hosts made a double change in the 66th minute to try and seize the initiative, but instead the Brazilians immediately claimed the lead when Lorch’s driven cross from the left was turned home at the far post by Nku to make it 1-0.
Stellies should have drawn level on 85 minutes when a free kick handed Anicet Oura a free header just a few metres out, but he failed to hit the target, while former Maroons attacker Junior Mendieta almost doubled Sundowns’ advantage in the final minute of regulation time, but dragged his low effort wide.
Sundowns will play a catch-up match on Tuesday 21 May away to TS Galaxy before completing their campaign at home to Cape Town City on Saturday 25 May, while Stellenbosch FC’s final match is away to Richards Bay.
Meanwhile Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City played to a 0-0 draw in the DStv Premiership at FNB Stadium in what was an emotional final home game for club legend Itumeleng Khune.
While Khune was on the bench, in what appears to be his final season after 25 years of service to the club, he was introduced in the final 15 minutes after several minutes of chants around the Calabash for the club icon to be introduced.
Elsewhere Orlando Pirates missed the chance to move second once again after losing 1-0 to TS Galaxy in their penultimate Dstv Premiership clash.
The win saw Galaxy move into fourth place, the CAF Confederations Cup spot after Sekhukhune United also lost 1-0 to AmaZulu.
#DStvPrem results:
✅ Five teams secure maximum points
? Five teams lose their encounters
❌ Six teams play to draws pic.twitter.com/1V0VhqK6Cx
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) May 18, 2024
SuperSport United and Cape Town City secured their spots in the Top Eight after beating Richards Bay and Moroka Swallows 3-1 and 2-0, respectively.
There is only MTN8 one spot left up for grabs and for now, Kaizer Chiefs held onto it after holding Polokwane City to a goalless draw. But AmaZulu’s win over Sekhukhune saw them level both teams on 36 points.