Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership when they beat Cape Town Spurs 1-0 at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night. Sundowns headed to the Mother City on the back of a 3-2 win over Young Africans in the CAF Champions League on Friday night.
Heading to this league encounter against the relegation-threatened Spurs, Sundowns were in a good mood after reaching the semi-finals of the continental tournament. As expected, Sundowns started like a house on fire and put Spurs on the back foot.
While Spurs also had several chances, they failed to trouble Ronwen Williams and his defence in the opening stages of the clash.
Sundowns Name a Changed Line-Up vs Spurs
Rulani Mokwena made several changes in his starting eleven as he rested the likes of Divine Lunga, Marcelo Allende, and Aubrey Modiba while the likes of Mothobi Mvala, Sphelele Mkhulise, Terrence Mashego were handed their starts.
Sundowns Dominate Spurs in the Opening Half
The visitors showed the intentions as early as the 16th minute when Spurs keeper Neil Boshoff was forced to deny Themba Zwane and parried the rebound away from danger. In the 24th minute, the Urban Warriors’ defence was the busiest of the two when Lucas Ribeiro beat his man and laid a pass for Neo Maema, whose effort went narrowly wide.
Sundowns would then break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Asanele Velebayi was dispossessed and fouled Peter Shalulile in the box. Ribeiro raised his hand to convert from the spot kick in the 42nd minute.
The penalty awarded to Sundowns left Spurs’ mentor Ernst Middendorp furious as the two sides went to the tunnel. Upon their emergence from the dressing room, the Capetonians took the game to Sundowns but they didn’t force a save from Williams.
Ashley Cupido blew a glorious opportunity to level matters when he received a pass inside the penalty area after the hour mark, but his first touch let him before Mvala read the danger – he made a crucial block.
A few minutes later, Cupido went down in the box as he was tackled by Mvala, Spurs fans and the striker protested for a penalty but the referee didn’t entertain the calls. Cupido was a livewire for the hosts and he was unlucky not to secure a point for his side when his shot hit the crossbar with Williams beaten in the 85th minute.
Sundowns Maintain Unbeaten Run in the League
After playing 20 league matches, Sundowns remain unbeaten in the league with 52 points. They remain at the top of the table and boast 16 victories and four draws. The hosts are rooted at the bottom of the standings with 12 points from 23 games.
What’s Next for Sundowns
The Brazilians will now face the University of Pretoria in the Nedbank Cup on Friday night at Lucas Moripe Stadium. On the other hand, the Ikamva-based side will visit Sekhukhune United on April 20.
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