A brace by Sibusiso Vilakazi and a penalty by Ricardo Nascimento gave Mamelodi Sundowns a 3-1 victory against AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday evening, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Pitso Mosimane’s side dominated possession stakes early on, but it was the home side who had the better opportunities and they were unlucky to not go ahead when Micheal Morton’s header was cleared off the line by Wayne Arende.
Arendse was in the thick of things minutes later and AmaZulu were unlucky to have a penalty appeal denied when the ball appeared to ricochet off his arm.
Sundowns were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute, when Tebogo Langerman’s defence-splitting pass found Percy Tau who was brought down by Sedat Ouro-Akoriko.
Defender Nascimento duly converted the penalty to give his side the lead much against the run of play.
AmaZulu should have leveled matters in the 29th minute when a fine cross into the area found an unmarked Mabhuti Khenyeza, but the veteran forward fluffed his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Brimah Razak made a hash of his clearance in the 35th minute which resulted in an indirect free kick after he handled the ball in the area. The resultant indirect freekick was converted by Mhlengi Cele to make it 1-1.
Usuthu were forced into an early change as Samuel Darpoh was forced off through injury in 36th minute.
Themba Zwane had a great chance to restore the lead moments before the half-time break, but he was denied by the goalkeeper.
Vilakazi restored Sundowns’ lead in the 49th minute after being unselfishly played in by Zwane.
Vilakazi grabbed his brace in the 59th minute when a swift counter-attack move allowed him the easiest of tap-ins, however ugly scenes followed as the home side’s fans branded a display of hooliganism in protest to the goal, which appeared off-side.
The visitors had further chances to add to their tally, however they failed to do so with the likes of Gaston Sirino, Tau and Zwane proving wasteful with their efforts.
Usuthu threw everything forward in a bid to reduce the deficit, however it was not too be for Cavin Johnson’s side who succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against the Absa Premiership table-toppers.
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