Mamelodi Sundowns continued to answer all challenges in the DStv Premiership title race, beating Moroka Swallows in a 2-0 home victory on Tuesday at Loftus Stadium.
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After being frustrated by Swallows for more than an hour, Neo Maema blasted Masandawana in front and Themba Zwane killed the Birds with a fine strike as Sundowns moved seven points clear of SuperSport United at the top of the table.
SuperSport has moved to within four points of Sundowns for a short time before the day, the last attack Bradley Grobler, 7 years old 34 years old.Th league goal of the season gave Gavin Hunt’s men a 1-0 win at Cape Town City, their second 1-0 win since the restart of the season.
Sundowns are relentless, and have now won eight Premiership games on the spin.
With Peter Shalulile still injured, Cassius Mailula led the Sundowns attack, the 21-year-old coming in on the back of four goals in three league games.
Swallows, however, proved stubborn opposition, with the appointment of Ernst Middendorp giving some renewed defensive steel.
When Teboho Mokoena tested Swallows goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa early on and Mailula headed over, it was Swallows who created the best chances of the opening period.
Bafana captain Ronwen Williams had to be at his best when he dived down the right to keep out a header from Swallows defender Kwanda Mngonyama.
Sundowns went ahead after the break and Gaston Sirino saved well from Mbanjwa at the near post.
Maema attacked
And Masandawana went ahead in 63rd minute when Maema collected the ball, cut to his man, and sent a good shot at Mbanjwa and into the net.
Just four minutes later, Sundowns doubled their lead with a fine strike from Zwane, as he broke into midfield, exchanged passes with Mailula, and calmly slotted past Mbanjwa.
Swallows did not let their heads drop and Waseem Isaacs clattered sundowns crossbars, but it was not to end for the Middendorp man.
In Tuesday night’s other game Brandon Truter got his first win for Sekhukhune United as they beat Limpopo rivals Marumo Gallants 3-2, Victor Letsoalo grabbed a brace, doubling his Premiership haul for the season.
TS Galaxy and Royal AM, meanwhile, played out a goalless draw.