'Downs break winning drought

Bloemfontein - Richard Henyekane’s first half goal earned Mamelodi Sundowns a much desired league win as they beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 away at the Free State Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The win was Sundowns’ first in the league in 10 matches since the opening day of the PSL and it sees them climb a place higher into 15th above AmaZulu.

Sundowns ‘keeper Wayne Sandilands had not been tested prior to a great through ball by Mduduzi Nyanda to find Vuyani Ntanga on the edge of the box on the left channel and the attacker unleashed a strike his left foot but the goal minder gathered the low shot in the 22nd minute.

In the 30th minute the Brazilians had their first chance of the match when forward Samuel Julies controlled well to find space outside the box and his left footed strike was saved clumsily by Celtic 'keeper Patrick Tignyemb. 

In the 33rd minute Sandilands was again called into action when Jacky Motshegwa had a shot from the edge of the box and Sandilands did well to get down to save the curling shot that was going to the hit the target.

Three minutes later 'Downs took the lead through a fantastic exhibition of route one football. Julies sent a long ball from near the half way line and Henyekane outsprinted his markers and slotted home with a right footed shot from the left side beyond Tignyemb. It was a great first touch and calm finish from the former Golden Arrows man.

In the 75th minute Bacela unleashed a shot but missed the target and his effort went wide after a series of touches to orchestrate the move.

Rodgers dispossessed Ntanga and sent a ball to Henyekane on the left who beat Duiker for pace, but there was no one on the far end to slot home in the 85th minute.

Both coaches sent out a team of second stringers with an eye on next weekend’s cup final as the two sides will meet at the Moses Mabhida Stadium for the Telkom Knockout final in Durban. 

PSL results on Sunday:

Bloemfontein Celtic 0 Mamelodi Sundowns 1

SuperSport Utd 2 Golden Arrows 2

Played on Saturday:

Pretoria University 1 Black Leopards 2

Platinum Stars 2 Kaizer Chiefs 0

AmaZulu 0 Free State Stars 1

Orlando Pirates 2 Wits 0

Moroka Swallows 1 Maritzburg Utd 3

Played on Friday:

Ajax Cape Town 3 Chippa Utd 2