MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LOSE TO AMAZULU
Although they scored courtesy of Thokozani Sekotlong, Mamelodi Sundowns lost 2-1 to AmaZulu in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday night.
The Brazilians now move to No 9 on the log with as many points from six matches, as they registered their second loss in a row.
On the other hand, goals from veterans Siyabonga Nomvethe and Mabhudi Khenyeza handed the visiting side the full three points.
Coach Pitso Mosimane’s men started like a house on fire and they managed to put the Durban-base side under pressure.
The hosts had a bright start in the encounter as they probed for an early goal and Sekotlong found a beautiful cross from the right and he made no mistake to finish with ease in the eighth minute.
Sundowns were unfortunate when Percy Tau saw his effort flying over the crossbar as he unleashed a powerful shot in the 17th minute.
The visitors took time to test Ghanaian international goalkeeper Razak Brimah, who was protected by his defence.
In the 37th minute Mosimane’s men found the back of the net as Tau scored, but the speedy forward was found to be offside
There were no goals in the end of the first half, but it was the hosts who continued with attacking and Tau wasted a number of chances to put the hosts further ahead.
Samuel Darpoh tried an attemp to beat Brimah from a long range in the 59th minute, yet he could not hit the target.
Coach Cavin Johnson’s troops could not give up as they pushed for an equaliser, but they failed to break the stable Sundowns defence.
The Usuthu technical bench made changes and Nomvethe was introduced, and with his pace he beat Sundowns’ defence, only to see his effort saved by Brimah in the 78th minute.
A ball from the left flank allowed Cele to pounce on a loose ball in the box as the hosts protested for an offside, but Nomvethe managed to finish on the far post with 11 minutes to play.
However, the visitors gained the front foot and pushed for a winner and Khenyeza sprung the offside trap to beat Brimah on his right corner, 2-1 to Usuthu.
In the last few minutes of the encounter, it was the Durban-based outfit which showed more hunger as they moved to the seventh spot with 11 point from eight games.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Sekotlong 08′)
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Nomvethe 79′, Khenyeza 87′)
Mamelodi Sundowns: Brimah, Hachi, Arendse, Morena, Madisha, Ngcongca, Kekana, Sekotlong (Mohomi 69′), Zwane (Lebese 60′), Manyisa (Castro 82′), Tau
AmaZulu: Pule, M. Gumede, P. Gumede, Ouro-Akoriko, Morton, Dlamini L, Darpoh, Mbatha B, Ncobeni, Cele, Manzini (Nomvethe 74′)
