Mamelodi Sundowns did not have to be at their best as they collected three points through a 1-0 win against AmaZulu last night. They now trail log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs by 10 points with a game in hand.
Whether AmaZulu were up for the game was debatable and the ease at which they lost possession was mind-boggling.
There was no urgency to their performance and for the most part, played like a team that has resigned itself to relegation. They were aided by customary Sundowns show-boating, especially from Teko Modise but when Sundowns went forward, they did so with intent and purpose.
The Zimbabwean duo of Kudakwashe Mahachi and Khama Billiat kept the defence busy but they somehow could not crack the AmaZulu line.
As clumsy as they were in dealing with Sundowns' attacking pickpockets, there were at least able to go to the break with a clean sheet.
That respite would only last nine minutes into the second half as they were unlocked by a typically sublime Sundowns move and Cuthbert Malajila's eighth goal of the season gave Aubrey Mathibe no chance.
It could have been different if Mahachi's 33rd minute long range shot had come off the inside of the upright rather than the outside as Mathibe was beaten.
Mzikayise Mashaba had Sundowns first opportunity in the 18th minute but he failed to test Mathibe. At that point, Bongani Zungu and Asavela Mbekile were already asserting their midfield dominance as the normally solid John Aruwah had trouble dealing with the sea of navy flooding the centre of the park.
It came as no surprise when Aruwah was booked by Daniel Bennett in the 32nd minute.
AmaZulu were having that kind of night and Sundowns were not willing to be as charitable as the other visitors that gifted AmaZulu leads.
Sundowns' goal came against the run of play as they had one of their rare moments when they dictated proceedings.
Their inability to deal with Sundowns' nippy runners came to the fore as the defence backed off when Mahachi ran at them.
Such was Sundowns' fortune and Usuthu's miserable luck, Mahachi's miskick some found the unmarked Malajila.
AmaZulu finally some real attacking life late in the game but Paul Ooko's 82nd shot was smothered by Denis Onyango. It summed up AmaZulu's attacking impotency .
Downs add to Usuthu misery
Mamelodi Sundowns did not have to be at their best as they collected three points through a 1-0 win against AmaZulu last night. They now trail log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs by 10 points with a game in hand.
Whether AmaZulu were up for the game was debatable and the ease at which they lost possession was mind-boggling.
There was no urgency to their performance and for the most part, played like a team that has resigned itself to relegation. They were aided by customary Sundowns show-boating, especially from Teko Modise but when Sundowns went forward, they did so with intent and purpose.
The Zimbabwean duo of Kudakwashe Mahachi and Khama Billiat kept the defence busy but they somehow could not crack the AmaZulu line.
As clumsy as they were in dealing with Sundowns' attacking pickpockets, there were at least able to go to the break with a clean sheet.
That respite would only last nine minutes into the second half as they were unlocked by a typically sublime Sundowns move and Cuthbert Malajila's eighth goal of the season gave Aubrey Mathibe no chance.
It could have been different if Mahachi's 33rd minute long range shot had come off the inside of the upright rather than the outside as Mathibe was beaten.
Mzikayise Mashaba had Sundowns first opportunity in the 18th minute but he failed to test Mathibe. At that point, Bongani Zungu and Asavela Mbekile were already asserting their midfield dominance as the normally solid John Aruwah had trouble dealing with the sea of navy flooding the centre of the park.
It came as no surprise when Aruwah was booked by Daniel Bennett in the 32nd minute.
AmaZulu were having that kind of night and Sundowns were not willing to be as charitable as the other visitors that gifted AmaZulu leads.
Sundowns' goal came against the run of play as they had one of their rare moments when they dictated proceedings.
Their inability to deal with Sundowns' nippy runners came to the fore as the defence backed off when Mahachi ran at them.
Such was Sundowns' fortune and Usuthu's miserable luck, Mahachi's miskick some found the unmarked Malajila.
AmaZulu finally some real attacking life late in the game but Paul Ooko's 82nd shot was smothered by Denis Onyango. It summed up AmaZulu's attacking impotency .
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