Downs win derby

Mamelodi Sundowns secured a 2-1 win over their Tshwane rivals SuperSport United in an Absa Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.

The victory took the defending champions to third place on the standings, while Matsatsantsa slipped down to the sixth spot on the table.

The Brazilians were the better side in the opening stages of the game and they deservedly grabbed an early goal 10 minutes into the game.

Lebohang Maboe found some space outside the SuperSport box and he scored with a powerful low shot to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.

The hosts had a chance to level matters from a free-kick in the 13th minute, but Richard Kissi Boateng’s effort from the set-piece was brilliantly saved by Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Sundowns looked dangerous every time they pushed forward and in the 31st minute, Thapelo Morena’s long-range shot was well saved by SuperSport shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.

Williams was then beaten for the second time when Maboe set-up Lyle Lakay, who scored with a low shot to make it 2-0 to Sundowns three minutes after the half-hour mark.

SuperSport head coach Kaitano Tembo then pulled out an injured Boateng and he introduced Onismor Bhasera a few minutes before the halftime break.

Pressure mounted on the Matsatsantsa defence and in the 43rd minute, Bongani Khumalo had to produce a great block to deny Themba Zwane with Williams well beaten.

Sundowns were deservedly leading 2-0 at the interval following an enthralling first-half.

The hosts dominated possession after the restart as they looked to restore parity with Aubrey Modiba looking lively for Matsatsantsa.

The South Africa international came very close to scoring when his well-taken free-kick beat Onyango, but the ball hit the woodwork with Onyango beaten.

Modiba was making his presence felt and he managed to grab an assist when his free-kick was fired home by Morgan Gould to make it 2-1 for SuperSport in the 67th minute.

Sundowns head coach Pitso Mosimane then introduced attack-minded duo Toni Silva and Aubrey Ngoma as the visitors looked to extend their lead.

Silva should have made it 3-1 to Sundowns in the closing stages of the game after being sent through on goal, but somehow the Guinea-Bissau international missed the target from close range.

Both teams launched late attacks in search of more goals, but they could not find the back of the net and ultimately, Sundowns ran out 2-1 winners over SuperSport on the day.

SuperSport (0) 1 (Gould 67′)
Sundowns (2) 2 (Maboe 10′, Lakay 33′)

SuperSport: Williams, Gould, Boateng (Bhasera 37′), Khumalo, Kekana, Letsholonyane, Keene, Rusike (65′), Ntshangase (Modiba 42′), Mahlatsi, Mokoena.

Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Coetzee, Lebusa, Lakay, Zwane, Manyisa (Arendse 90′), Kekana, Maboe, Sirino (Ngoma 76′), Brockie (Silva 75′).