Thapelo Morena and Themba Zwane scored in each half to help Mamelodi Sundowns return to winning ways, as they defeated Marumo Gallants 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba stadium on Saturday evening.
The league match was brought forward, owing to the sides’ commitment in CAF inert-club competitions.
Gallants defense was caught napping at the first whistle allowing Themba Zwane to find Thapelo Morena, who looped the ball over Washington Arubi to score in the opening 25 seconds of the game.
There were chances for more goals in the first half from the visitors. An Aubrey Modiba’s free-kick went into the keeper’s hands in the 11th minute. Peter Shalulile missed an opportunity in the 19th minute after receiving the ball from Zwane but Arubi this time was alert to make the save.
The home side made some way into the Sundowns’ half with Ranga Chivaviro attempting a shot from range but he was off target in the 20th minute. Nine minutes later Zwane found Sipho Mbule who lost possession in the box with a clear chance to extend the lead.
In the 38th minute Mahlatse Makudubela came from the right to try to square the ball to Chivaviro but the ball was too high.
In the second half Raymond Mdaka made two early substitutions bringing in Mpambaniso Monde for Sibusiso Kumalo and Lesiba Nku for Makudubela while Rhulani Mokoena brought on Musa Lebusa for Boutouil Abdelmounaim.
The changes looked to be effective for the home side with Monde coming close to equalising in the 49th minute from a Chivaviro cross. Three minutes later Zwane scored a Shalulile rebound from a corner following Tshepo Gumede’s clearance of a Maema threat.
Gallants tried to get one back through their top scorer Chivaviro but the goal was flagged offside. Gumede had another opportunity to get his side back into the game in the 61st minute, however, his header from a Nku set-piece fell right into the keeper’s hands.
The Limpopo side continued their search for a goal when they won a set-piece in the 72nd minute with Lucky Mohomi’s shot being saved.
The win means Sundowns got closer to a new points record for winning the league from the 71 points in the 2015/16 season, as they stay at the summit of the table with 69 points with one match to go. For Bahalabane ba ntwa their six match unbeaten streak in the league came to an end and they remain in danger of relegation as they remain third from bottom with 29 points.
Next week Sundowns and Gallants are away on CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup semi-finals first leg ties against Wydad and Young Africans respectively.
