A screamer by Aubrey Modiba and Peter Shalulile’s 22nd goal of the season helped Mamelodi Sundowns to collect their 18th win of the DStv Premiership campaign and secure the double over Sekhukhune United.
The Masandawana coaches had to ring the changes after as many as 11 players were sidelined for the game, including the likes of Rushin de Reuck, Denis Onyango and Pavol Safranko.
The game started with a nice gesture from the home side, who handed the newly crowned DStv Premiership champions a Guard of Honour as they walked onto the pitch.
The first 20 minutes, though, were rare on highlights apart from two shots by Gaston Sirino, who first took one that touched the top of the upright in the 14th minute before sending another just wide seven minutes later.
The match sparked to life after 28 minutes when Aubrey Modiba opened the scoring for Masandawana thanks to a brilliant long-range strike from 25 yards out.
Sekhukhune thought they should’ve had a penalty in the 34th minute when Chibuike Ohizu attempted to lob the ball over Grant Kekana and replays showed it touched the Downs captains’ arm, but the referee waved play on.
Sundowns managed to carry their slim lead into the break at the Emirates Airline Park.
Peter Shalulile thought he’d scored his 22nd goal of the campaign in the 52nd minute but his header from close range flew over the bar.
Minutes later, Gaston Sirino almost surprised Toaster Nsabata from a tight angle but the Sekhukhune keeper managed to keep his shot out.
Downs dominated large parts of the second interval, which was disrupted by a series of changes on both sides, resulting in a game without any real danger for either goalkeeper.
Shalulile had a late chance to make it 2-0 but his attempt just went wide of the far post. However, he eventually did find the back of the net in the 92nd minute, converting from inside the box to score his 22nd goal of the campaign.
The win sees Downs climb to 61 points on the log, 16 ahead of second-placed Royal AM, while Sekhukhune remained in 11th position.
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