Sundowns back to winning ways as they trounce Sekhukhune to stretch lead

Just like his name, Neo Maema is the gift that keeps on giving as he gave Mamelodi Sundowns the lead with another spectacular striker, helping the Brazilians to get back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership.

Masandawana edged Sekhukhune 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at a wet Tuks Stadium in the capital city to move nine points clear of second-placed Stellenbosch FC. Man-of-the-Match Khuliso Mudau deserves the credit as he had a hand in the creation of Maema’s 21^st minute goal with a cross that he played into the ball. Peter Shalulile headed the ball down the path of Maema, who had all the time in the world to pick his spot and fire a bolting shot past Toaster Nsabata.

READ ALSO: Nomadic Sundowns feeling ‘at home’ against Sekhukhune

Around the hour mark, referee Christopher Kistoor made an incorrect decision when he adjudged Nyiko Mobbie to have handled the ball in the box when Shalulile tried his luck from close range. The benefit of replays made it clear that the ball struck Mobbie on his rib. However, Themba Zwane was the one who took responsibility from 12 yards and extended Sundowns’ lead.

In the 82^nd minute, Sundowns’ free-kick specialist, Lyle Lakay, was presented with an opportunity to score when his team won a free-kick in a promising position,

Denis Onyango had another bad day in the office after conceding two sloppy goals against Matsatsantsa A Pitori, and this time around he was shown a straight red card for an illegal tackle on Vusimuzi Mncube, who was one-on-one with the Ugandan goalkeeper. Mncube capitalized on a poor back pass that Mosa Lebusa could not get his feet around. Downs had to summon Kennedy Mweene from the stands and the veteran goal-minder made sure to maintain the clean-sheet for Masandawana.

In the other DStv Premeirship fixture, TS Galaxy came back from behind twice to hold visiting Cape Town City to a 2-2 draw at the Mbombela Stadium.