Peter Shalulile was back among the goals as Mamelodi Sundowns edged closer to clinching the DStv Premiership title with a 3-0 win over TS Galaxy on Monday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 TS Galaxy
Date: 29 April 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Sundowns made wholesale changes from their defeat against Esperance in the CAF Champions League, as the likes of Matias Esquivel, Tashreeq Matthews, Themba Zwane and Zuko Mdunyelwa were recalled.
The Brazilians pinned Galaxy back in their own half from the first whistle and after five minutes Esquivel had a chance unchallenged, with a curling shot from out of the box that sailed over the crossbar.
The hosts kept on coming and Peter Shalulile eventually broke the deadlock on 26 minutes with a close-range finish in the box after a cross by Zwane.
The Rockets were tempted to get out of their defensive structure and were punished ten minutes before the break after Shalulile made it 2-0 for Sundowns and got his brace with a low strike in the box after he was teed up by Zwane.
Rulani Mokwena's charges slowed down the pace of the game towards the interval, as they circulated the ball without rushing forward and were happy to head to the break with a two-goal lead.
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Sead Ramovic's charges showed some hunger to get back into the game early into the second stanza as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was called into action a couple of times.The Brazilians needed to inject new pace in attack and on the hour-mark, they brought on Thembinkosi Lorch in place of Matthews.
Lorch made an immediate impact after he killed the game for Sundowns moments later with a strike that found the bottom corner.
Things went from bad to worse for the Rockets after they were reduced to ten men in the dying minutes following the red card shown to Orebotse Mongae for a tackle on late substitute Bongani Zungu, who was unable to continue.
Ironically, Galaxy striker Bernard Parker made his long-awaited return as Zungu went off in added time and immediately had to take a penalty after a foul in the box by Thapelo Morena.
Parker's spot-kick was saved by Williams, as the Brazilians extended their lead at the top of the table to 13 points and need one extra victory to be crowned champions.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 44. Mdunyelwa, 14. Mashego, 20. Kekana, 5. Lebusa, 19. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 18. Zwane, 9. Esquivel, 77. Matthews, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 36. February, 34. Mvala, 8. Zungu, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 35. Maema, 7. Nku, 45. Lorch, 27. Morena
TS Galaxy: 16. Ntwari, 3. Sanoka, 4. M.Mahlangu, 23. Munyai, 24. Kabini, 8. Mbunjana, 34. Mvelase, 6. Dithejane, 21. Sebelebele, 11. S.Mahlangu, 9. Nurkovic.
Subs: 32. Kolak, 7.Mongae, 13. Semache, 17. Parker, 18. Zwane, 19. Rakwena, 30. Mere, 35. Mbatha, 45. Seema.
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