Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Royal AM in a DStv Premiership match played at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.
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The win saw the already-crowned champions hit the 69-point mark and they are one win away from setting a new PSL record for most points accumulated in a 30-game league season (the current record is 71 points). Coach Rhulani Mokwena's unbeaten side will be away to Stellenbosch FC on Saturday.
Royal AM, on the other hand, remained 14th in the league standings - just two points above the relegation zone with two games left. Coach John Maduka will be determined to ensure that his side returns to winning ways against Chippa United at home on Saturday.
Masandawana controlled the match from the start, with Bathusi Aubaas seeing most of the ball in the middle of the park. The former TS Galaxy star set up Aubrey Modiba, whose effort was well saved by a well-positioned Hugo Nyame between the Thwihli Thwahla goal posts in the 16th minute.
Nyame was a busy man as he pulled off a decent save to deny Peter Shalulile in the 31st minute before Neo Maema hit the upright five minutes later. Nyame was finally beaten in the 41st minute when Shalulile netted with an acrobatic finish to make it 1-0 to Sundowns heading into the halftime break.
Masandawana continued to exert pressure on Royal AM's defence and Nyame had to make a low save to deny Shalulile in the 52nd minute. The Cameroonian keeper was beaten for the second time in the 74th minute when Lesiba Nku netted with a sublime shot to make it 2-0 for Sundowns.
The visitors pushed for a late goal and they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time after Ayanda Jiyane had handled the ball in the box. However, Marcelo Allende ballooned the resultant penalty over the crossbar and ultimately, the match ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of Sundowns.
Royal 0
Sundowns (1) 2 (Shalulile 41', Nku 74')
Royal AM: Nyame, Mabuza (Sikakane 66'), Jiyane, Matlaba, Shezi, J Dlamini (Msomi 79'), Kobedi, Mahlasela (Cele 79'), Thikazi, Sithole (B Dlamini 66'), Mashiane (George 56').
Sundowns: D. Onyango, Mdunyelwa, Modiba, Mvala, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Mbule (Allende 75'), Maema (Morena 62'), Matthews (Mendieta 62'), Nku (Maboe 75'), Shalulile (Mabena 85').