Ten man Mamelodi Sundowns came from behind to beat Black Leopards 2-1 in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday, while bad weather forced the Bloemfontein Celtic and Chippa United game to be called off.
Black Leopards 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Sundowns came from behind to beat Leopards 2-1 on Wednesday.
Peter Shalulile went close for Sundowns in the 17th minute, but was denied by the upright.
While Sundowns controlled the possession, they were a little off rhythm in the first half, and failed to create too many clear cut chances.
Leopards, under interim coach Lehlohonolo Seema, showed some good intent when they did have the ball, and Denis Onyango had to be alert a few times as Lidoda Duvha’s players tested him from distance.
But at halftime it remained goalless.
Leopards struck immediately after the second half began, Ovidy Karuru sliding in to get on the end of a Sibusiso Khumalo cross to make it 1-0.
The match had to be halted for six minutes after Lifa Hlongwane and Sibongiseni Mthethwa collided with their heads. An ambulance had to be brought onto the pitch to take Hlongwane directly to hospital, and both Leopards players had to be substituted.
Sundowns were level in the 63rd minute, as Shalulile blasted in his fifth goal of the season. His initial shot on the ground was blocked, the ball popped into the air, and the Namibian’s quick reflexes paid off.
A minute later, Sundowns were down to ten men as Mothobi Mvala was sent off for a professional foul, as he was the last man in defence, and pulled back Rodney Ramagalela.
Onyango made a big save in the 68th minute, blocking Roderick Kabwe’s powerful effort.
King Ndlovu had to be alert at the other end a minute later to deny Gaston Sirino’s header from a cross by Kermit Erasmus.
Shalulile proved to be the match-winner as he scored a great poacher’s effort in the 95th minute, giving Ndlovu no chance as he took control of the ball after an effort from Lesedi Kapinga ended up at his feet, and blasted in from close range.
The Namibian’s brace, which takes his total tally of the season to 6, taking Sundowns 3 points clear at the top of the table.
Bloemfontein Celtic v Chippa United
Unfortunately the heavy rain was the star of the show in Bloemfontein, and the match had to be called off before it even started.
