Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 61 points after defeating Polokwane City 1-0 at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday, courtesy of a Marcelo Allende second half goal.
The defending champions have now opened a two-point lead on Orlando Pirates after playing their catch-up game, while Rise and Shine remained in sixth spot with 36 points from the same number of games.
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Sundowns enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the match with better goal scoring opportunities. The visitors tested their hosts from as early as the second minute through Aubrey Modiba whose shot went passed the goal line.
Five minutes later Khulumani Ndamane set-up Jayden Adams but the latter’s shot was deflected for a corner. Allende assumed responsibility for the set-piece and his shot found Teboho Mokoena in the box who headed wide. Modiba was at it again in the 12th minute, this time passing to Iqraam Rayners whose final shot went wide.
There were chances for Mokoena from open play and Peter Shalulile just before the break but both missed the target. City had a shot at goal in the half by Tlou Nkwe which was an easy save for Ronwen Williams.
Both sides returned for the second half unchanged and it was Sundowns who continued where they left off. Mshishi set up Rayners inside the first five minuets of the stanza and was blocked by the City keeper. City responded immediately and forced Williams to make two back-to-back saves, denying Mokibelo Rambau and Sibusiso Tshabalala.
Miguel Cardoso wrung changes at the hour mark and they made immediate difference with substitute Lebo Mothiba laying the ball for Allende top break the deadlock in the 62nd minute.
When City responded through Ndamulele Maphangule Williams came out to deny him the equaliser. Mothiba was a villain when his panenka penalty was saved by Lindokuhle Mathebula in the 74th minute after Ndamane was brought down in the box.
League action will pause this weekend for the Nedbank Cup final between TS Galaxy and Durban City at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
