Champions Mamelodi Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches in the DStv Premiership after defeating Marumo Gallants 2-0 on Saturday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Marumo Gallants 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 06 May 2023
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sundowns shuffled the line-up from their draw against AmaZulu, as the likes of Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Khuliso Mudau were brought back.
The Brazilians had a perfect start with the opener within 25 seconds after Thapelo Morena fired home a through ball from Themba Zwane.
Rulani Mokwena's charges remained on the front foot and Peter Shalulile nearly doubled their lead on 19 minutes with a first-time shot in the box that was saved by the on-rushing goalkeeper Washington Arubi after a headed pass by Modiba in the box.
The Tshwane side increased their intensity, throwing shots at Gallants as Neo Maema also came close just before the half-hour mark with a strike on the edge of the box.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa also put some fight going forward in the latter phase of the first stanza but shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was alert in goal as Sundowns took a narrow lead to the break.
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Sundowns had the start they were looking for in the second stanza as Zwane gave them a two-goal cushion seven minutes from the restart with a close-range finish from a rebound after Arubi parried a header by Shalulile.
Gallants did not drop their heads as Tshepo Gumede head a chance to pull a goal back on the hour-mark with a close-range header that was brilliantly saved by Williams.
The Brazilians made a double change in the last 15 minutes as Haashim Domingo replaced Maema and Lebohang Maboe came on for Sipho Mbule in the midfield.
Mokwena's men slowed the tempo of the game down in the dying minutes and ran down the clock by keeping possession, as they comfortably got back to winning ways.
Sundowns will break their own record of 71 points they set in 2015-16 season if they win their last game against Maritzburg United, where they will be handed their trophy and medals.
Gallants, meanwhile, remained third-from-bottom, with only goal difference keeping them away from relegation and they are left with one game to close off their season.
Here's how they lined up:
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 29. Gumede, 2. Nkili, 45. Toure, 30. Kumalo, 32. Makudubela, 17. Mohomi, 50. Sibeko, 11. Otladisa, 3. Manaka, 8. Chivaviro
Subs: 16. Watenga, 43. Seanego, 14. Koapeng, 14. Mdlinzo, 22. Thangwane, 31. Maraisane, 15. Mphambaniso, 6. Soumaro, 7. Nku
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 34. Mvala, 19. Boutouil, 4. Mokoena, 24. Mbule, 35. Maema, 18. Zwane, 27. Morena, 28. Shalulile
Subs: 1. Pieterse, 5. Lebusa, 41. Mashego, 39. Maboe, 41. Coetzee, 8. Zungu, 29. Ralani, 23. Domingo, 10. Sirino
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