Mamelodi Sundowns continued their DStv Premiership table-topping form when they beat Swallows 3-0 at Loftus Stadium on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile earlier in the day there were wins for Royal AM and Golden Arrows, over Maritzburg United and Marumo Gallants respectively.
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Swallows
Peter Shalulile had a good chance to give Sundowns the lead in the second minute, but he was denied by a good save from Sanele Tshabalala.Keletso Makgalwa went close against his former team, but Denis Onyango made a diving save to deny him in the sixth minute, while four minutes later at the other end Andile Jali’s long range effort went straight at Tshabalala.
Chances kept coming over next ten minutes and Khethukuthula Ndlovu forced another save from Onyango after a good run into the box. Musa Nyatama shot wide, as did Themba Zwane and Pavel Safranko at other end.
Tebogo Langerman’s shot in the 25th minute was acrobatically saved by Onyango, while Safranko forced a saved from Tshabalala with a header a minute later.
Thabiso Kutumela was inches away from scoring with his long range effort hitting the upright in the 28th minute, but a minute later they were in the lead. Safranko scoring his first league goal for the club, heading in from Lyle Lakay’s corner kick.
Nyatama went wide in the 34th minute and five minutes later there was drama on the sidelines, as Sundowns’ senior coach Steve Komphela was sent to the stands for something he said.
After the break with Sundowns leading 1-0, they continued to control the game, but the game tempo reduced, as did the attempts at goal.
The defending champions made a few changes and it paid off almost immediately, as Neo Maema made it 2-0 in the 78th minute, combining well with fellow substitute Sibusiso Vilakazi.
Swallows went close in the 81st minute, but Onyango did well to deny Ndlovu’s header that looked set to go into the top right corner.
Aubrey Modiba was on target in the 88th minute, but it went straight at Tshabalala, who held on, however Shalulile was not to be denied a minute later, as he headed in Maema’s cross to score his fifth league goal of the season.
Sundowns remain top, but are now four points ahead of second-placed SuperSport United, as well as Royal AM and Stellenbosch, who are also on 12 points.
They are also still yet to concede a goal in the league this season.
Royal AM 2-1 Maritzburg United
Meanwhile earlier in the day at Chatsworth Stadium Royal AM scored a dramatic late winner to beat Maritzburg United 2-1 in a KZN derby.
Royal AM took the lead in the 71st minute as Victor Letsoalo got to a good Tshidiso Monamodi cross, and got enough on it to beat Marcel Engelhardt.
But Maritzburg grabbed the equaliser in the 85th minute, as Zukile Kewuti’s cross-come-shot flew into the top right corner and Patrick Nyame stood no chance.
But Royal AM were not done, and in the last play of the game Tshepo Rikhotso grabbed the winner to give Royal AM their fourth successive win.
Golden Arrows 3-1 Marumo Gallants
And at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium Golden Arrows won 3-1 against Marumo Gallants.
Nkosinathi Sibisi gave Arrows the lead in the 52nd minute, scoring from the penalty spot after a handball from Edgar Manaka.
It was 2-0 in the 66th minute, as Knox Mutizwa got himself on the scoresheet with a good low shot.
Gallants pulled one back with fifteen minutes to go, as Arrows conceded an own goal through Mutizwa.
But the home team wrapped up the result in stoppage time, as substitute Siyabonga Khumalo added the third.
