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Pretoria - A solitary strike from Elias Pelembe was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership clash against Maritzburg United at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Although Sundowns created a number of scoring opportunities they were unable to add to Pelembe’s goal which came in the middle of the first half.
United were the first side to threaten through a Kurt Lentjies free-kick in the 12th minute, but his attempt crashed against the wall, while Michael Morton fired over the crossbar from the rebound.
Teko Modise tried his luck at the other end in the 15th minute but his first-time shot was well-wide of the target; a minute later he saw his long range attempt dipping over the crossbar.
The opening goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Teko Modise combined with Punch Masenamela on the left flank; the left-back played the ball across for Pelembe who calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.
Katlego Mphela had a golden chance to double the lead five minutes later when he broke the offside trap on the right but he was unable to complete with his trademark finish and saw his effort going across Shu-aib Walters.
Lentjies, a former Sundowns-player, had a good opportunity to hurt his former team a minute later when he was released by a pass from Fadlu Davids but he showed lack of composure by blasting an uncontrolled shot that didn’t threaten Wayne Sandilands.
The home side created several other chances in the second half with Themba Zwane forcing a great save from Walters in the 49th minute, while Katlego Mphela also managed to get a tame shot on target two minutes later.
Prince Olomu came closest to getting the equalizer for the Team of Choice in the second half when he picked up by a deep cross on the far post, and although his volley was on target, Sandilands was equal to the task as he palmed it away for a corner.
The best chance of the second half fell to substitute Nyasha Mushekwi who beat Mor Diouf with a brilliant turn in the 79th minute but all his good work went to waste as he completely miss-kicked the ball with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
Mamelodi Sundowns saw the match out to collect all three points which sees them climbing to second place, two points behind the leaders SuperSport United.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) (Pelembe 22’)
Maritzburg United (0)
Teams:
Sundowns: Sandilands, Letlabika, Mwanjale, Xulu, Masenamela, Kekana, Moriri (Zwane 37’),Modise (Khenyeza 90+ 1’), Pelembe, Mphela, Henyekane (Mushekwi 68’)
Maritzburg: Walters, Evans, Hendricks, Diouf, Matuka, Obada (M. Davids 32’), Madondo, Morton (Ncubeni 65’), Olomu, Lentjies, F. Davids (Donelly 58’)
Although Sundowns created a number of scoring opportunities they were unable to add to Pelembe’s goal which came in the middle of the first half.
United were the first side to threaten through a Kurt Lentjies free-kick in the 12th minute, but his attempt crashed against the wall, while Michael Morton fired over the crossbar from the rebound.
Teko Modise tried his luck at the other end in the 15th minute but his first-time shot was well-wide of the target; a minute later he saw his long range attempt dipping over the crossbar.
The opening goal arrived in the 22nd minute when Teko Modise combined with Punch Masenamela on the left flank; the left-back played the ball across for Pelembe who calmly placed the ball into the back of the net.
Katlego Mphela had a golden chance to double the lead five minutes later when he broke the offside trap on the right but he was unable to complete with his trademark finish and saw his effort going across Shu-aib Walters.
Lentjies, a former Sundowns-player, had a good opportunity to hurt his former team a minute later when he was released by a pass from Fadlu Davids but he showed lack of composure by blasting an uncontrolled shot that didn’t threaten Wayne Sandilands.
The home side created several other chances in the second half with Themba Zwane forcing a great save from Walters in the 49th minute, while Katlego Mphela also managed to get a tame shot on target two minutes later.
Prince Olomu came closest to getting the equalizer for the Team of Choice in the second half when he picked up by a deep cross on the far post, and although his volley was on target, Sandilands was equal to the task as he palmed it away for a corner.
The best chance of the second half fell to substitute Nyasha Mushekwi who beat Mor Diouf with a brilliant turn in the 79th minute but all his good work went to waste as he completely miss-kicked the ball with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
Mamelodi Sundowns saw the match out to collect all three points which sees them climbing to second place, two points behind the leaders SuperSport United.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) (Pelembe 22’)
Maritzburg United (0)
Teams:
Sundowns: Sandilands, Letlabika, Mwanjale, Xulu, Masenamela, Kekana, Moriri (Zwane 37’),Modise (Khenyeza 90+ 1’), Pelembe, Mphela, Henyekane (Mushekwi 68’)
Maritzburg: Walters, Evans, Hendricks, Diouf, Matuka, Obada (M. Davids 32’), Madondo, Morton (Ncubeni 65’), Olomu, Lentjies, F. Davids (Donelly 58’)
