Mamelodi Sundowns conquer Durban City in Chatsworth to tighten grip on Betway Premiership title
FOOTBALL
Grant Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns and Siphiwe Mahlangu of Durban City FC vie for the ball during the Betway Premiership match at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night.
Image: BackpagePix
Durban City (0)
Mamelodi Sundowns (1)
Ntsabeleng ‘10,
MAMELODI Sundowns extended their remarkable winning streak to 10 matches with 1-0 Betway Premiership win against Durban City at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night.
The result ensures the Tshwane giants maintain their two-point lead at the summit of the Betway Premiership table, keeping the pressure firmly on title rivals Orlando Pirates, who beat Lamontville Golden Arrows 5-0 also on Tuesday night.
Despite a spirited performance which underlined their solidity in defence, the Citizens were undone by an early Tsiki Ntsabeleng goal.
Sundowns were on a nine-game winning streak ahead of their trip to Chatsworth on Tuesday night.
They were also two points clear off second-placed Orlando Pirates, and were looking to maintain both their winning momentum and the lead at the summit of the table.
Durban City, meanwhile, were looking to follow up their cup exploits by consolidating their position in the Top 8. Pitso Dladla’s side — with Dladla being the third man to lead the Citizens' dugout this season — were in sixth place in the table ahead of the match.
Everything, though, pointed to a Mamelodi Sundowns victory, as the Tshwane giants had grabbed a 3-1 home win when the two sides met for the first time in September.
It was somewhat surprising that Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso started Aubrey Modiba at left-back, given he is suspended for Sunday’s CAF Champions League semi-final against Esperance in Tunis.
It would have made sense to give a run to other options in that position, such as Divine Lunga or Fawaaz Basadien, considering they have received minimal game time so far this season. Giving them a run ahead of the Champions League semi-final first leg would have provided much-needed match fitness.
Despite having undergone coaching changes in recent months, the Citizens are enjoying a dream season upon their return to the top-flight with the KwaZulu-Natal side firmly in the running for a top eight finish.
What has further elevated their spirits is progressing to the Nedbank Cup final this past weekend after their victory over Castric Stars in the first semi-final.
They are set to face TS Galaxy in the final.