Mamelodi Sundowns moved back to the top of the table with an eight successive Betway Premiership win after their 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday evening.
After a nervy opening twenty minutes, in which both Sundowns and Gallants had half chances on set-pieces, and eventually the home side found the lead in fortuitous fashion with Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya heading the Marcelo Allende’s free-kick into his own net.
It was a deserved opener on the balance of play for a Sundowns side who had several changes with Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba and Jayden Adams serving their suspensions – while Thapelo Morena was ruled out through injury.
The likes of Zuko Mduneyelwa, Keagan Johannes, Keanu Cupido and Miguel Reisinho was introduced into the XI, while Brayan Leon replaced Iqraam Rayners from their victory against ORBIT College last week.
Gallants refused to lie down, and eventually found an equaliser from the spot, five minutes before the break after Nuno Santos conceded a penalty for a handball – which was calmly slotted home by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, for his sixth goal of the season.
Reisinho was amongst those who notably didn’t take his chance and was replaced at the break for Teboho Mokoena – who then put them back in the lead after the hour mark with a toe-poke, finishing off the move he started in midfield.
It became a match of end-to-end action as both sides chased goals in the final half hour, between a flurry of changes from either side which changed the flow of the game, but Mokoena even completed a brace to send Sundowns to 51 points, two ahead off second-placed Orlando Pirates.
Gallants in 14th, remain in danger, with 18 points, only outside the relegation play-off spot by goal difference with ORBIT, and two ahead of 16th placed Magesi.
