Mamelodi Sundowns cemented their spot at the top of the Premiership with a 2-0 win over Cape Town City on Saturday evening, edging tantalisingly closer to an eighth consecutive league title – a monumental feat in South African football history.
Coach Miguel Cardoso’s team (61 points after 24 games) are now 12 points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates (22), who have 49 after their dramatic 2-1 Soweto derby win over Kaizer Chiefs earlier on Saturday.
Attacking midfielder Tashreeq Matthews gave Masandawana a 1-0 halftime lead after a rousing first half at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.
On two occasions in the opening four minutes, City managed to round the Brazilians’ defence, but failed to capitalise.
Iqraam Rayners
This pressure earned them the game’s first corner, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams gathered well to nullify the set-piece.
Sundowns managed to thwart City’s early attacking forays before it reached the fringes of their goalmouth.
At the other end, the visitors were far more penetrative, but their only reward was Matthews’ 34th-minute strike after a fine feed from teammate Iqraam Rayners, who earlier managed to beat the offside trap.
As the second half wound its course, there were plenty of oohs and ahs from the fans as both defences survived close calls after several half-chances emerged.
For the greater part of the half, play swung like a pendulum from one end to the other, highlighting the attacking intent of the teams.
The heart and tenacity of the teams displayed belied the fact that the game was a contest between teams at different ends of the Premiership standings.
Towards the end of the match, Sundowns’ class came to the fore when they doubled their score through Rayners, who ran smartly to latch onto an Arthur Sales through-ball for the side’s insurance goal.
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Ten minutes from the end, the Sundowns fans raised a huge cheer to welcome their captain Themba Zwane, who entered the fray at the expense of Matthews.
The Brazilians will be in action again on Wednesday when they host Chippa United.
City, rock bottom on the log with 24 points after 27 games, will travel to Polokwane for a clash next Saturday.
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