Polokwane - A man of the match performance from Punch Masenamela saw him open the scoring and create the winner for Mamelodi Sundowns as they moved back to the summit of the Absa Premiership with a 2-1 win over Black Leopards at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
The first 45 minutes was an intriguing encounter as we witnessed three goals in the space of 20 minutes and some superb passing football from the visitors.
It only took two minutes before the game saw its first goal, coming through the boot of ‘Downs left-back Masenamela.
There was certainly nothing wrong with the strike from the Brazilians’ defender, stroking the ball from 35-yards out - his shot, though, lacked any real pace and power, but succeeded in wrong footing the 'keeper as the ball travelled through a group of players before finding the back of the net, 1-0.
Azwindini Maphaha will have to accept blame for the goal as he looked to cover his right-hand post instead of focusing on the play.
Luckily for the Leopards 'keeper his error was cancelled out when the home side struck back ten minutes later.
Some slack marking at a corner-kick allowed Samuel Mabunda to rise above the ‘Downs defence to powerfully head home the ball from 12-yards out, giving the 'keeper no chance, 1-1.
The game certainly did not lack any action as the played flowed from end to end, and it wasn’t long before the Brazilians regained the lead in the 21st minute.
Masenamela found some space down the left before whipping in a teasing cross that Nyasha Mushekwi latched onto with a glancing ten-yard header to restore his side’s lead, 2-1.
Mushekwi nearly found a second goal in the 33rd minute, this time getting onto the end of a right wing cross, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save, Maphaha diving to his left to deny the striker.
The rest of the half saw Sundowns control the possession stakes, but unable to really create any more decent chances on goal.
The second half was nowhere near as entertaining as the first 45 and chances on goal were few and far between.
In fact, there was no significant action to write home about as the game ended in favour of Sundowns who move back to the top of the log while Leopards remain in 14th spot.
The first 45 minutes was an intriguing encounter as we witnessed three goals in the space of 20 minutes and some superb passing football from the visitors.
It only took two minutes before the game saw its first goal, coming through the boot of ‘Downs left-back Masenamela.
There was certainly nothing wrong with the strike from the Brazilians’ defender, stroking the ball from 35-yards out - his shot, though, lacked any real pace and power, but succeeded in wrong footing the 'keeper as the ball travelled through a group of players before finding the back of the net, 1-0.
Azwindini Maphaha will have to accept blame for the goal as he looked to cover his right-hand post instead of focusing on the play.
Luckily for the Leopards 'keeper his error was cancelled out when the home side struck back ten minutes later.
Some slack marking at a corner-kick allowed Samuel Mabunda to rise above the ‘Downs defence to powerfully head home the ball from 12-yards out, giving the 'keeper no chance, 1-1.
The game certainly did not lack any action as the played flowed from end to end, and it wasn’t long before the Brazilians regained the lead in the 21st minute.
Masenamela found some space down the left before whipping in a teasing cross that Nyasha Mushekwi latched onto with a glancing ten-yard header to restore his side’s lead, 2-1.
Mushekwi nearly found a second goal in the 33rd minute, this time getting onto the end of a right wing cross, but the goalkeeper made a brilliant save, Maphaha diving to his left to deny the striker.
The rest of the half saw Sundowns control the possession stakes, but unable to really create any more decent chances on goal.
The second half was nowhere near as entertaining as the first 45 and chances on goal were few and far between.
In fact, there was no significant action to write home about as the game ended in favour of Sundowns who move back to the top of the log while Leopards remain in 14th spot.