Mamelodi Sundowns got bragging rights in the Tshwane derby as they beat SuperSport United 1-0 in Saturday night’s DStv Premiership fixture.
After an outbreak of positive cases at SuperSport, the club took to the field without head coach Kaitano Tembo, as well as captain Ronwen Williams, Bradley Grobler, Jesse Donn, and the trio of Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule and Kudakwashe Mahachi, who were already sidelined. Andre Arendse led from the bench.
SuperSport United 0-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Gamphani Lungu had a good chance for the home team in the fifth minute, but Denis Onyango did well to touch the attempt over. Three minutes later Peter Shalulile’s snap shot from in front of goal went just wide.
But Shalulile was not to be denied in the ninth minute, as he was set up by Themba Zwane and the Namibian scored, knocking it past Boalefa Pule to make it 1-0.
Moses Waiswa was off target with a couple of long range efforts, while Keenan Phillips drew a save out of Onyango in the 15th minute. At the other end Thabiso Kutumela shot just over from a free kick in the 21st minute.
Thamsanqa Gabuza tried a long range shot in the 35th minute, but it flew wide to the right of goal, Sundowns holding onto their lead going into the break.
Waiswa’s effort in the opening minute of the second half was deflected wide, while Gabuza’s header from a corner in the 57th minute was always going over. Jamie Webber shot high and wide a minute later, as SuperSport applied the high press and looked for a way back into the game.
Gabuza’s header in the 62nd minute lacked power and Onyango was able to make a simple save. Thapelo Morena had a chance for Sundowns in the 67th minute, but his effort went across the goal and wide.
Shalulile almost added a second in the 71st minute, but Pule pulled off a great save at close range to deny the Namibian. In the 75th minute Pule made a good save again at Shalulile’s feet, as Sundowns squandered a good opportunity. Mothobi Mvala shot just over a minute later.
A swift attack from Sundowns in the 86th minute almost saw the second goal, but Shalulile’s final effort went over the goal.
Despite a goal mouth flurry in stoppage time, Sundowns survived and at full-time, Shalulile’s twelfth goal saw Sundowns go 14 points clear at the top of the league.
