Mamelodi Sundowns open 14-point gab in Dstv Premiership lead after claiming slim win over SuperSport United

Mamelodi Sundowns moved 14 points clear at the summit of the DStv Premiership table with a 1-0 triumph over Tshwane rivals SuperSport United.

Changes either side had Sundowns recall Denis Onyango, Thapelo Morena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sphelele Mkhulise and Themba Zwane, while United had a new face in goal in Baolefa Pule.

SuperSport missed coach Kaitano Tembo, who had tested positive for the Coronavirus pandemic, and quite a few regulars too who had tested positive or are in insolation.

The Brazilians though hit the ground running nine minutes on the clock after Peter Shalulile took a through pass from Zwane in his stride to find the far corner from a tight angle.

SuperSport were close to going level minutes later through a half-volley from Keegan Phillips from a loose ball following Jamie Webber’s free-kick, but Onyango saved.

Masandawana retained momentum inside 21 minutes after Neo Maema whizzed through the area to get a shot away but he was thwarted by Pule.

However, the Brazilians had their stall and subsequent approach disrupted eight minutes later as Thabiso Kutumela succumbed to an injury and saw Gaston Sirino introduced.

Waiswa was at the end of another opening for the host over ten minutes following the restart as his delivery into the area saw Thamsanqa Gabuza head over the top.

Sundowns struggled to suppress Waiswa’s deliveries near the latter exchanges as the Ugandan launched another ball for Gabuza to take aim, but Onyango made a firm stop.

Masandawana began to re-take control minutes later and saw Shalulile work Pule to a fine stop from close-range before Zwane had a shot from smart combination play cleared off the line.

In the end, the Brazilians were left to yet another win in the Premiership and remained unbeaten too, while SuperSport lost further ground on the top three.

Confirmed line-ups:

SuperSport: Pule, Nhlapo, Johannes, Ditlhokwe, Bhasera, Philips, Waiswa, Webber, Rayners, Lungu, Gabuza.

Subs: Khoza, Fleurs, Moralo, Rasebotja, Matodzi, Kurata, Appollis.

Sundowns: Onyango, De Reuck, Coetzee, Lakay, Morena, Kekana, Kutumela, Mkhulise, Maema, Zwane, Shalulile.

Subs: Mweene, Nascimento, Lunga, Mvala, Kapinga, Erasmus, Safranko, Sirino, Vilakazi.