Sundowns Bounce Back Despite Injury Blow
Mamelodi Sundowns moved up to third spot on the Betway Premiership after defeating Marumo Gallants 2-0 on Wednesday evening at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Fixture: Mamelodi Sundowns v Marumo GallantsScore: 2-0Goalscorers: Khoza (21′), Mailula (67′)
Striker Cassius Mailula was rewarded with his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score the equaliser against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday, while there was another change in the central defensive paring as Malibongwe Khoza came in for Kegan Johannes alongside Grant Kekana.
After conceding three to Stellenbosch last Friday, Gallants were usurpingly stacked in the middle of the park as Edgar Manaka was brought into the starting line-up to help combat the early Sundowns dominance, with the hosts being reduced to efforts from distance.
Sundowns had struggled defending dead-ball situations in the opening two games, but they managed to get the breakthrough via a corner on 21 minutes when Khoza opened his account by volleying home from close-range after Gallants failed to deal with Fawaaz Basadien’s cross.
There was a big blow for Miguel Cardoso as star defender Khuliso Mudau was stretchered off around ten minutes before the halftime after sustaining a knock earlier in the half, with Zuko Mdunyelwa brought on as his replacement at right-back.
Mudau joins a Sundowns injury list that already includes Teboho Mokoena and Arthur Sales ahead of the weekend’s MTN8 semi-final against Golden Arrows.
The Brazilians carried the momentum into the second period as they looked to increase their lead, especially with Gallants providing their only threat on set-pieces, which kept Ronwen Williams and his defence on their toes.
The second goal eventually arrived in the 67th minute when substitute Siyanda Ndlovu and Brayan Leon combined to set up Mailula, who took one touch before rifling the ball into the back of the net for his third goal in four games this campaign.
Cardoso’s charges showed no signs of taking their foot off the pedal as the lively Ndlovu got the crowd off their feet with his pace down the right flank looking to create openings for Leon in and around the 18-yard area.
Sundowns managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease to claim their first clean sheet of the season to go along with maximum points, although many supporters will be awaiting updates on Mudau’s injury as they now switch focus to the MTN8.
Mamelodi Sundowns: Golden Arrows (MTN8, H), AmaZulu FC (H), Golden Arrows (MTN, A)
Marumo Gallants: TS Galaxy (A), Polokwane City (H), AmaZulu FC (A)
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