Defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns came from a goal down to defeat Durban City 3-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening to close the gap with Sekhukhune United at the top to just a point.
Sundowns have played eight games and move to 18 points, while City remained in fourth place with 11 points from seven matches. It was the visitors who drew blood first through Joslin Kamatuka in the 13th minute after they had won a corner kick.
Haashim Domingo sent the ball in the box and it found the Namibian’s head and his header got deflected by Arthur Sales into the net. But the lead lasted only seven minutes as Sundowns equalised through Marcelo Allende from a Tashreeq Mathews pass.
Sundowns could have taken the lead two minutes after the half hour mark when they won a free-kick. Aubrey Modiba stepped up but he hit the crossbar and Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners respectively didn’t capitalise on the rebound.
However Sundowns’ persistence was rewarded three minutes later when Rayners found Mathews who put Sundowns in the lead after 35 minutes.
City had an opportunity to equalise from the spot just before the break when they won a penalty after Malibongwe Khoza pulled Trevor Mokwena’s shirt in the box. Kamatuka stepped up but he was denied by Ronwen Williams maintaining Sundowns’ lead at half-time.
There were no immediate changes from both sides at the start of the second stanza. It took 10 minutes for the home side to intensify their attack in search of a third goal but Modiba and Mokoena’s efforts were saved by Darren Keet.
Keet was called to make another important save three minutes after the hour but this time denying Mathews. But the keeper was beaten by Rayners with his fifth goal of the goal in the 65th minute.
