Mamelodi Sundowns tightened their grip on the Betway Premiership summit on Tuesday night, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Durban City at a packed Chartsworth Stadium.
In a match defined by tactical discipline and clinical efficiency, a lone first-half strike from the in-form Tsiki Ntsabeleng was enough to separate the two sides. The win ensures the Brazilians remain two points clear of their closest rivals, Orlando Pirates, as the title race enters its critical final stretch.
Early breakthrough sets the tone
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso made several rotations to the squad that thrashed Chippa United last Friday, handing starts to Arthur Sales and Brayan Leon. However, it was the man who kept his place, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, who proved to be the difference-maker.
In the 10th minute, Marcelo Allende threaded a pinpoint through-ball into the path of Ntsabeleng. The midfielder showed composure beyond his years, cutting inside from the left flank before slotting a precise finish past the experienced Darren Keet.
Woodwork denies the Brazilians
The scoreline could have been far more convincing had the woodwork not come to the rescue of the “Team of Choice.”
- 18th minute: Arthur Sales saw a thunderous snap-shot rattle the upright.
- 50th minute: Brayan Leon struck the woodwork again following a clever layoff from Jayden Adams.
Despite the narrow lead, Ronwen Williams was largely untroubled for much of the night, though he was forced into a pair of sharp saves in the closing stages as Durban City threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
Eyes on Africa
The victory provides the perfect momentum for Masandawana as they shift their focus from domestic duties to the continent. Sundowns are scheduled to travel this weekend for the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final, a priority that saw Cardoso substitute key players like Sales and Allende early in the second half to preserve energy.