Shalulile strikes again as Sundowns sink SuperSport

Peter Shalulile was Mamelodi Sundowns’ match-winner again on Saturday night, netting the only goal in a 1-0 Tshwane derby win over SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

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The win stretched Mamelodi Sundowns’ lead to 14 points at the top of the DStv Premiership, Masandawana already looking well-set for a fifth consecutive league title.

In what was an unfamiliar-looking SuperSport side, Matsatsantsa A Pitori had a number of DStv Diski Challenge players on their bench. A number of players have turned in positive Covid-19 tests, including captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, and they missed the game along with head coach Kaitano Tembo, who also tested positive.

It did not take Peter Shalulile long to find the back of the net as he continued his scoring spree – this time he found the back of the net in the 9^th minute, beating goalkeeper Boalefa Pule, who was manning the goal in the absence of Williams.

Shalulile’s goal was created from some eye-catching build-up play – Themba Zwane was the one who played the final pass to Shalulile for the Namibian to score his 12^th league goal of the season.

Matsatsantsa A Pitori had chances of their own in the opening stanza, with most of the opportunities falling to Thamsanqa Gabuza, such as in the 20^th minute when Onismor Bhasera played a cross into the box, finding Gabuza unmarked but the former Orlando Pirates forward could not get the better of Denis Onyango, who stretched to palm away his effort.  

Gabuza continued to probe for the hosts and around the hour mark, he had another chance to test Onyango, but the veteran goalie was up to the task. It was a corner kick taken by Gamphani Lungu, who found Gabuza on the leap, but his header lacked some power and made it easier for Onayago to collect.

After absorbing waves of attack from United, Sundowns surged into SuperSport’s kitchen and Gaston Sirino instigated the move with a lobbed pass to Shalulil.

Pule was on high alert to extinguish the danger, getting to the ball ahead of Shalulile .

At that point, Pule was way off his line, leaving two SuperSport defenders to guard the net as Sirino found Zwane, who somehow could not control the ball and that spared Matsatsantsa.

Sundowns’ next assignment is a visit from rock bottom Baroka FC while The Spartans will take on Sekhukhune United in the newest top flight Tshwane derby.