Sundowns did not waste their initial chance even though the goal should have been disallowed for offside
PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
SuperSport United (0) 1
Furman 53 pen
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2
Zwane 32 Morena 65
THE CROWN might be sitting a little loose on the head, but the Brazilians are not going to be dethroned without a fight.
This victory over SuperSport would have send a stern warning to Kaizer Chiefs that they will have to work very hard for the Absa Premiership title.
Granted Amakhosi are enjoying the lead at the top of the table, but now with just seven points with 12 matches to go. There is a lot to play for still and nothing can be taken for granted.
In completing the league double over their Tshwane neighbours, Sundowns showed that they are able to dust themselves off after a fall and that should get Amakhosi a little worried.
Beaten 1-0 by Orlando Pirates in midweek, this match was always going to be a true test of the champions’ ability to bounce back.
That loss was Sundowns’ first against Pirates since 2011 and the impact of it could have had far reaching consequences.
Against a SuperSport side also challenging for the league title, Sundowns had to be at their championship best.
And they were, the Brazilians generally controlling the tempo of the match and always looking the most likely to score.
No doubt inspired by the fact that Chiefs had dropped points on Saturday in drawing at Black Leopards, Sundowns went for broke early on although the initial chance was created by the home side.
SuperSport should have scored on 20 minutes after Dean Furman won the ball from Hlompho Kekana in midfield and sent Evans Rusike sailing. The Zimbabwean cut in to his left, beating two defenders before shooting low but too tamely to beat Dennis Onyango.
Sundowns did not waste their initial chance even though the goal should have been disallowed for offside.
Themba Zwane slotted home his seventh goal of the season from close range following a fantastic cross from Teboho Langerman on the left that Sibusiso Vilakazi headed towards the scorer who was offside. Thapelo Morena should have made it 2-0 four minutes later but shot wide after Ronwen Williams gave the ball away under pressure from Vilakazi.
Early in the second half SuperSport equalised via a well-taken penalty by Furman after Andile Jali had sent Mahachi tumbling in the box.
But Sundowns responded well and scored the winner on 65 minutes via Morena’s superb strike connecting a good cross by Hlompho Kekana.
Try as they could to get the equaliser, SuperSport were just not good enough to prise their adversaries’ defence.
The championship fight is far from over and Sundowns are clearly not going to let go of their crown without a fight.
