Mamelodi Sundowns beat Free State Stars 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney on Sunday afternoon.
The victory sees the Brazilians remain fourth on the league table, while Ea Lla Koto also stay the 14th spot on the standings.
The match got off to a quiet start as Ea Lla Koto and the Brazilians battled for control of the middle of the park in the early stages of the encounter.
The first chance of the game fell for Sundowns forward Percy Tau in the 19th minute, but Stars goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni came out to deny him.
The Brazilians were slowly gaining control of the game and six minutes later, Khama Billiat unleashed a powerful low shot which was brilliantly saved by Ngobeni.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper, who is on a season-long loan deal at Stars from Sundowns, was having a great game keeping his parent club at bay.
With six minutes left before the half-time break, Billiat’s powerful effort from a free-kick was well saved Ngobeni, who was equal to the task once again.
But Ngobeni was finally beaten on the stroke of half-time when Motjeka Madisha fired home to make it 1-0 to Sundowns heading into the half-time break.
Anthony Laffor, who was introduced by Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane in 50th minute, tried to make an immediate impact, but he fired his effort the crossbar.
The Liberia international should have doubled Sundowns’ lead 15 minutes later, but missed the target following a great pass from Tebogo Langerman.
The home side were struggling to penetrate the Sundowns defence which was marshalled by Brazilian centre back Ricardo Nascimento.
In the 82nd minute, Billiat beat his marker, but Ngobeni came out to deny the Sundowns attacker from close range after Hlompho Kekana’s free-kick had hit the crossbar.
Pressure was mounting on Stars and three minutes later, long-range specialist Kekana’s effort from another set-piece was pushed onto the crossbar by Ngobeni.
The Kaizer Chiefs academy product’s late saves ensured that the game ended in a 1-0 victory to Sundowns on the day.
