After suffering a shock defeat against Polokwane City just under two weeks ago, Mamelodi Sundowns replied with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Rise & Shine in their latest 2024/25 Betway Premiership assignment at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.
Anxious by the previous result between the two sides, Sundowns were put under awkward pressure by Polokwane City throughout the first half.
However, attempts in either half by Kutlwano Letlhaku were enough for Sundowns to bag maximum points on home soil.
Polokwane City looked comfortable on the ball during the opening exchanges of the match and played the majority of their football inside the Sundowns half.
With the Brazilians in unfamiliar territory, Rise and Shine actively searched to take an early lead with around 10 minutes on the clock.
The visitors continued to apply forward pressure to the Downs backline but were unable to manufacture any notable scoring chances midway through the first half.
Downs slowly began seeing more of the ball in the middle of the park.
In fact, it was Sundowns who took the lead in the 26th minute as Letlhaku added his name to the scoresheet.
Following a well-worked passing move inside the Polokwane half, Letlhaku beat goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga with an accurate left-footed curling effort on the edge of the 18-yard-area.
Despite taking the lead, Sundowns endured a sticky first half in which Polokwane provided numerous problems going forward.
Nonetheless, the Tshwane-giants preserved their lead heading into the break.
LETLHAKU DOUBLE
The Brazilians threatened soon after play was restarted with Letlhaku rattling the side netting with a shot at goal in the 52nd minute.
At the other end of the pitch, Polokwane City star Hlayisi Chauke came agonisingly close to levelling matters three minutes later with a missed headed attempt inside the Downs box.
Sundowns’ relentless pressure paid off moments after the hour mark and doubled their advantage through Letlhaku yet again.
After hounding the Rise & Shine backline, Arthur Sales won the ball high up the pitch before finding Letlhaku on the edge of the six-yard area as the Sundowns youngster tapped the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Polokwane City battled to regain control of the game for much of the second half, while Sundowns continued to create numerous goal-scoring chances en-route to the 90th minute mark.
After an impressive showing in the second half, Downs were able to see out the game with their 2-0 scoreline intact.
The Brazilians looked sharp in their new kit and sharper on the pitch! 2-0 win at Loftus! 🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) November 6, 2024
Mamelodi Sundowns (27', 69' Letlhaku) 2⃣➖0⃣ Polokwane City#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #RabatsenaGape pic.twitter.com/RwLqSvgF9z
Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 2 (Letlhaku 27’, 68’)
Polokwane City: (0) 0
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Morena, Khoza, Lebusa, Lunga (Mashego 65’), Maboe, Mkhulise (Saavedra 57’), Maema (Allende 65’), Sales (Rayners 76’), Shalulile (Maseko 76’), Letlhake
Polokwane City: Sapunga, Nkwe, Nkaki, Nikani, Matuludi (Makhubela 77’), Maphangule, Kambala (Balthabane 92’), Appollis, Alexander (Letshedi 46’), Dlamini (Daniels 77’), Chauke (Mapfumo 86’)