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Johannesburg - Although they were under pressure from Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns managed to bag a 1-0 win courtesy of a fine strike by Khama Billiat in their Absa Premiership tie at Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday night.
The victory took the new league champions to 68 points and they will wrap up their league campaign at home to Platinum Stars on May 21 with a chance of setting a record points haul for a 16-team PSL season.
Pitso Mosimane's men absorbed the pressure from the first whistle as their hosts displayed their intentions and dominated the first 10 minutes.
But after settling down in the match, Billiat spotted Moeneeb Josephs off his line in the 25th minute and unleashed a long range shot, beating the Students’ net minder to hand the Brazilians the lead against the run of play.
Four minutes later, Gavin Hunt's men were awarded a set piece in a good position when Tebogo Langerman fouled Elias Pelembe, but Daine Klate's attempt went over the bar.
In the 39th minute, Leonardo Castro missed twice in a one-on-one situation with Josephs; the keeper initially saved his shot before the Colombian missed on second invitation.
Ben Motshwari came close to finding an equaliser in the final minutes of the first half when he was set up by Sibusiso Vilakazi, but the midfielder ballooned his shot wide.
It was 1-0 at the interval to Mosimane's side and the hosts continued their dominance, with Onyango making a brilliant save to deny Bongani Khumalo from point blank range.
Towards the 70th minute, Sundowns were forced to try long range shots and Langerman's effort didn’t trouble Josephs as it went wide.
With Wits piling on the pressure, Onyango produced another wonderful save to deny substitute Joaquim Lupeta in the box from a sweet cross by Pelembe.
The last 10 minutes of the contest saw the Tshwane side enjoying possession and in the end, the hosts failed to beat the big Ugandan goalkeeper Onyango.
In the wake of the loss, the Braamfontein-based side remain placed in the second spot with 57 points and trail the new league champions by 11 points with one match to go.
