Mamelodi Sundowns beat Maritzburg United 1-0 in their Absa Premiership encounter on Wednesday night courtesy of a Hlompho Kekana screamer.
Sundowns were coming into their first game in the league since beating Kaizer Chiefs after the Premier Soccer League afforded the Chloorkop based club extra time to prepare for last Friday’s Caf Champions League game against Lobi Stars in Nigeria.
Downs lost that game in Nigeria, but are unbeaten in over a year, 28 games, in the PSL and were looking to pick up all three points against the basement dwellers Maritzburg to keep up with the pacesetter in the title race.
Maritzburg, on the other hand, are yet to pick up a point under new boss Mushi Ertugral and would have been desperate of any sort of result to kickstart their survival quest.
This clash was the first time these two teams have met in the league this season, but the Team of Choice have given the Brazilians a tough time over the last few seasons.
Thabiso Kutumela was handed his debut by Ertugral and the former Orlando Pirates started well as he forced Kennedy Mweene into a smart save.
Both sides were struggling to break each other down in opening 30 minutes, but the Maritzburg came close through a set play when Rushin De Reuck rose highest to head towards goal but his effort missed the target.
Sundowns then resorted to long range efforts as Gaston Sirino tried his luck from range, his effort flew just wide with 38 minutes gone.
Downs then thought they took the lead when Themba Zwane coasted into the box before providing a good finish, but the linesman had raised his flag for offsides, ruling the goal out.
Kutumela then had another chance to grab a debut goal just before the break but he couldn’t find the target after doing well to dribble past Mosa Lebusa.
0-0 at the break with the game firmly in the balance.
Mosimane’s men started well in the second stanza and came inches away from opening the score as Richard Ofori got fingertips on Kekana’s long range strike, deflecting it onto the bar.
The Sundowns captain, however, would not be denied a second tine round as he smashed a pile driver into the top corner on the hour mark.
The Brazilians then looked to control the tempo of the game through could ball possession, while Maritzburg were struggling to get a foot hold into the game.
Ofori and Kekana were seemingly having a battle of their own as the keeper denied the Bafana hard man from close range as Downs looked to press home their advantage.
Masadawana managed to see out the remainder of the game, winning by 1-0 to climb up to third on the table.
Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix