Betway Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over TS Galaxy at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
Second-half substitute Arthur Sales scored the only goal of the match in the 61st minute of the match.
Masandawana have stretched their lead at the top of the log to 25 points, three above Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, who occupy the second and third positions respectively.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS MAMELODI SUNDOWNS GRIND FOR MAXIMUM POINTS
PSL all-time top scorer Peter Shalulile was the first to get a scoring opportunity as early as the fifth minute. But his half volley missed the target.
Tashreeq Matthews fired a long-range shot 10 minutes later after a neat link-up with Nuno Santos, but his shot drifted just wide of the post.
Two minutes later, on-form Galaxy forward nearly opened the scoring for the visitors after a telling cross from Puso Dithejane, but Khuliso Mudau dealt with the danger.
A few moments later, the home side thought they had finally found the opening goal of the match via a close-range shot from Shalulile.
But the referee had blown up his whistle a few seconds earlier for a foul committed on Mudau, ruling out the goal.
ARTHUR SALES RESCUES A HARD-FOUGHT WIN FOR MASANDAWANA
Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was forced to produce a double save 10 minutes before the half-time break after attempts by Igor Salatiel Silva and Junior Zindoga.
Two minutes later, Galaxy keeper Ira Tape also produced a brilliant save after a great run from Teboho Mokoena, who unleashed a powerful shot inside the 18-area box.
Mory Keita thought he had scored the opening goal during the referee’s optional time, but his effort from inside the box was adjusted to be offside. The two teams went into the half-time break with the score at 0-0.
The first goal of the match came via substitute Arthur Sales who slotted his shot into the bottom corner after an assist from fellow substitute Iqraam Rayners.
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