Mamelodi Sundowns moved six points clear at the top of the DStv Premiership table, after beating Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Tshakhuma 1-3 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns should have had a penalty in the 4th minute, after Lehlohonolo Nonyane used a hand to block Gaston Sirino’s cross, but the officials waved played on.
Sirino had an attempt at goal five minutes later, but it was straight at Washington Arubi, while Lebogang Maboe’s first time effort from just outside the area flew just over the bar in the 13th minute.
It was the home team who grabbed the lead against the run of play. Thembisani Nevhulamba heading in from a free kick. The officials missing that the goal scorer was slightly offside when the free kick was taken by Thabo Mnyamane.
In the 20th minute Themba Zwane’s effort from just outside the box, went over the goal, while three minutes later Sirino shot wide.
Nicholas Lukhubeni had a good chance for TTM in the 25th minute, he cut into the box and fired in a good strike but Denis Onyango had it covered.
Thapelo Morena went close after a good set up by Mosa Lebusa in the 29th minute, but his shot was stopped by the legs of Arubi, as TTM hung onto their lead.
A minute later Mnyamane had a chance at the other end, but Onyango was on hand to make a good save.
Arubi was back in action in the 33rd minute, making a good reflex save to deny a poacher’s snapshot by Peter Shalulile from close range.
Arubi made a good diving save in the 41st minute to somehow deny Rushine De Reuck, and made a simple save three minutes later from a Sirino free kick.
But just before halftime Sundowns finally drew level through the unlikeliest of goal-scorers, as Rivaldo Coetzee scored his first for the club, heading in from a Sirino corner.
The second half continued in a similar vein as Sundowns controlled proceedings, pushing for a goal that would give them the lead.
In the 56th minute Sirino chipped over a charging Arubi, but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line just in time by Nonyane.
Three minutes later Morena had another effort for Sundowns after running onto a great through ball from Sphelele Mkhulise, but Morena shot across goal and wide. A minute later Lyle Lakay’s effort was well saved by Arubi.
Moments later Sundowns were awarded a penalty as Nonyane was ruled to have fouled Zwane in the box. However Sirino’s attempt from the spot flew high and wide, and the teams remained level.
Mkhulise put Sundowns into the lead in the 69th minute, when he rain into the box to head in Lakay’s cross.
In the 78th minute Mnyamane almost drew things level again, but his attempt from a set piece hit the woodwork and went over.
Having only just come off the bench, Sibusiso Vilakazi made in three in the 81st minute, finishing off from a Shalulile cross.
TTM substitute Tokelo Rantie had the last chance of the game, but he shot straight at Onyango.
A good victory in the end for the log leaders, who gave six points clear, with two games still in hand over the nearest rivals.
