10-man Sundowns brush aside Sekhukhune United to claim record 14th successive win

10-man Mamelodi Sundowns brush aside Sekhukhune United 2-0 to claim a record 14th successive victory in the DStv Premiership.

Sundowns welcomed Sekhukhune at a scorching hot Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon seeking to maintain their rich vein of form in the league.

The first chances of the match fell for Sekhukhune 23 seconds into the game when Sundowns’ defence was caught napping by Victor Letsoalo, but his shot went off target.

SUNDOWNS PILING PRESSURE

Neo Maema came close to finding an opener for the defending champions in the 15th minute after receiving great pass from Sphelele Mkhulise.

However, Maema’s snapshot was parried away by goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare to concede a corner.

Sundowns were awarded a set piece on the edge of the box after Nyiko Mobbie fouled Sifiso Ngobeni.

Sipho Mbule stepped up to take the free kick, but his in-swinger was dealt with decisively by the Sekhukhune defence.

The Brazilians kept piling the pressure on Babina Noko when Ngobeni made a quick run from the left wing to find Peter Shalulile in the box, but his low shot fell kindly into the hands of Sangare.

Referee Thokozani Mkhize blew the halftime whistle as both sides went to the break with a 0-0 stalemate.

Masandawana got the second half underway. Both coaches, Rulani Mokwena and Brandon Truter, made no changes in the starting line-up.

SHALULILE INCREASES TALLY

Sundowns eventually broke the deadlock through Shalulile. ‘Shasha’ met Sirino’s pass and converted from a close range.

The Namibian took his goal tally to nine for the campaign. Soweto-born tactician made triple substitutions for Sundowns.

Surprise Ralani, Bongani Zungu and Marcelo Allende came in to replace Andile Jali, Sphelele Mkhulise and Sipho Mbule.

Allende was shown a straight red card in the 75th minute after a career-threatening tackle on Sekhukhune attacker Victor Letsoalo.

The Chloorkop-based side doubled the lead in the 83rd minute through Cassius Mailula. Mailula pounced on a well-worked cross from Thapelo Morena to net a second for Sundowns.

Bafana Ba Style walked away with maximum points against the Limpopo-based side to open the 22-point gap at the summit of the Premiership table.

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