Mamelodi Sundowns have opened a 12-point gap ahead of second place after beating Chippa United 2-0 at Lucas Moripe Stadium, with Tashreeq Matthews scoring his first goal for the club.
Teboho Mokoena scored the opener inside 10 minutes after a lose ball following a corner fell into his path and he put his laces through from outside the box.
Ronwen Williams came to the rescue of Sundowns denying Eva Nga in a one-on-one after 17 minutes.
Peter Shalulile had a chance to double Sundowns’ lead after 28 minutes after finding himself at the end of a Thembinkosi Lorch cross but firing over the bar
Eva Nga found himself running free on Williams again just before the break but instead of going straight for goal he looked for a teammate and his pass was intercepted.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa had the first attempt of the second half with a clever chip catching Stanley Nwabali off his line, but the Chippa keeper just returned in time to push the ball over the bar.
Second-half sub Themba Zwane had another huge chance for Sundowns but he placed his shot next to the post after skipping past a defender inside the box.
Sundowns had to wait until the 85th when substitute Tashreeq Matthews calmly slotted the ball past Lloyd Kazapua, who had replaced the injured Nwabali, after 86 minutes.
The win saw Masandawana climb to 45 points from 17 games, 12 ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have played three games more.
