ON the night Orlando Pirates departed for Egypt in their attempt to conquer Africa, record Premiership winners Mamelodi Sundowns huffed and puffed here, but their pursuit to dominate the domestic league continues.
But the young Downs side had to learn from golden oldie Surprise Moriri, who came off the bench for Hlompho Kekana to score the winner after Free State Stars' Camaldine Abraw had cancelled out Cuthbert Malajila's opener.
The Brazilians, 2006 finalists in Africa's premium club competition, went top of the Absa Premier League with this 2-1 victory over Stars.
It all started as if it was going according to plan for Downs' coach Pitso Mosimane when striker Malajila grabbed the opener with a header in the 27th minute.
With the Stars defence there for the taking, Sundowns could have wrapped it up as early as the first half, but they were wasteful. They took a pedestrian approach after the break, allowing the visitors to level the score when Abraw found the equaliser six minutes into the second half.
Sensing trouble from Stars, Mosimane rolled back the years and brought on Moriri. The 33-year-old received a pass in the penalty box, calmly and intelligently brought it down and hammered home past Stars keeper Daniel Agyei to secure the three points.
lSbu Mjikeliso reports that Lamontville Golden Arrows lifted themselves from destitution at the bottom of the standings to upset Moroka Swallows 2-1 at King Zwelithini Stadium in another match last night.
The game was like a 90-minute television highlights package, such was the barrage of goalmouth action.
Arrows striker Bongi Ntuli scored one and created the other goal for Abafana Bes'thende in the first half as the Dube Birds lost in Umlazi in the league for the third year running.
Ntuli pushed himself past Swallows central defender Rudi Isaacs to get inside the box. He went down and the referee awarded the penalty.
Captain Thanduyise Khuboni sent the spot kick well beyond Nigerian Greg Etafia to put Arrows 1-0 in the 13th minute.
The home side went 2-0 up seven minutes later, punishing Swallows for their sloppiness in midfield.
The second half was all about manning the barricades while Swallows threw the kitchen sink at Arrows.
Swallows set up a tense finish when Luvhengo Mungomeni nodded in with less than 12 minutes remaining.
Downs in the driver's seat
ON the night Orlando Pirates departed for Egypt in their attempt to conquer Africa, record Premiership winners Mamelodi Sundowns huffed and puffed here, but their pursuit to dominate the domestic league continues.
But the young Downs side had to learn from golden oldie Surprise Moriri, who came off the bench for Hlompho Kekana to score the winner after Free State Stars' Camaldine Abraw had cancelled out Cuthbert Malajila's opener.
The Brazilians, 2006 finalists in Africa's premium club competition, went top of the Absa Premier League with this 2-1 victory over Stars.
It all started as if it was going according to plan for Downs' coach Pitso Mosimane when striker Malajila grabbed the opener with a header in the 27th minute.
With the Stars defence there for the taking, Sundowns could have wrapped it up as early as the first half, but they were wasteful. They took a pedestrian approach after the break, allowing the visitors to level the score when Abraw found the equaliser six minutes into the second half.
Sensing trouble from Stars, Mosimane rolled back the years and brought on Moriri. The 33-year-old received a pass in the penalty box, calmly and intelligently brought it down and hammered home past Stars keeper Daniel Agyei to secure the three points.
lSbu Mjikeliso reports that Lamontville Golden Arrows lifted themselves from destitution at the bottom of the standings to upset Moroka Swallows 2-1 at King Zwelithini Stadium in another match last night.
The game was like a 90-minute television highlights package, such was the barrage of goalmouth action.
Arrows striker Bongi Ntuli scored one and created the other goal for Abafana Bes'thende in the first half as the Dube Birds lost in Umlazi in the league for the third year running.
Ntuli pushed himself past Swallows central defender Rudi Isaacs to get inside the box. He went down and the referee awarded the penalty.
Captain Thanduyise Khuboni sent the spot kick well beyond Nigerian Greg Etafia to put Arrows 1-0 in the 13th minute.
The home side went 2-0 up seven minutes later, punishing Swallows for their sloppiness in midfield.
The second half was all about manning the barricades while Swallows threw the kitchen sink at Arrows.
Swallows set up a tense finish when Luvhengo Mungomeni nodded in with less than 12 minutes remaining.
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