Mamelodi Sundowns secured a dramatic 1-0 win over AmaZulu in their DStv Premiership encounter on Sunday afternoon at Loftus Versveld.
Sundowns came into the fixture with plenty of optimism and reasons for their supporters, who made their way to the arena, to be excited about with two new signings named on the bench and the tribute to club legend a former captain Hlompho Kekana held at half-time.
The 2022/23 domestic treble champions flexed their financial superiority over their league rivals this window with several marquee signings – two of which; Bongani Zungu and Terrence Mashego, who signed in midweek in a reported R10-million transfer from Cape Town City – both named on the bench.
But it proved to be a frustrating encounter for most of the afternoon as Usuthu head coach Brandon Truter successfully managed to stifle the star-studded Sundowns side, who were notably under par for their lofty standards and ambitions.
Themba Zwane smashed the post early on in the game after turning his marker inside out after a rare mistake from the visitors’ defence and while he had the chance to win the game late on when he was set through in on goal, he failed to beat Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Peter Shalulile was also guilty of missing a golden chance to move onto seven goals and further cement his status as the favourite for the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.
It appeared the AmaZulu were going to be heading back to Durban with a point but second-half substitute Marcelo Allende’s late strike that beat Mothwa at his near post moved them five points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have played one game less.
Report by: Lorenz Köhler at Loftus Versveld
