Mamelodi Sundowns recorded a record-extending 10th successive win from the start of the DStv Premiership season when they defeated AmaZulu 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Brazilians secured the victory thanks to a first-half penalty from Lucas Ribeiro, with the result taking them five points clear at the top of the standings.
Usuthu, meanwhile, suffered a fourth defeat of the league season and dropped to 12th place – just five points above the relegation playoff zone.
A perfect ten ✅
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2023
In a nail-biting #DStvPrem encounter, Sundowns continued their winning streak against AmaZulu 🏆💪 pic.twitter.com/6MTGPILvWW
Sundowns took charge of the match early on, dominating possession and stringing together their customary passing movements.
On 12 minutes they had their first genuine threat on goal, with Marcelo Allende’s deflected shot flashing just wide of the target.
In the 20th minute Sundowns were awarded a penalty when Themba Zwane was dragged to the ground by Mbongeni Gumede.
Lucas Ribeiro coolly converted from the spot for 1-0 just before the midway point of the first half.
AmaZulu 0️⃣-1️⃣Sundowns
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2023
Lucas Ribeiro Costa's penalty is the difference at the break 🔁
📱 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/LH4gQHm0HH
Tempers boiled over both on and off the field in the wake of a relatively innocuous challenge from Ethan Brooks on Sphelele Mkhulise in midfield, before ‘Downs nearly claimed a second goal just past the half hour mark.
Drama at the King Zwelithini Stadium 🏟
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 6, 2023
Sundown lead AmaZulu by a goal to nil. Tensions are reaching boiling point as both teams and coaches get into a scuffle ⚖
📱 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/4cnq3zXVK3
Teboho Mokoena’s defence-splitting pass was mis-controlled by Allende, but this allowed Peter Shalulile time and space to pick his spot, though his effort was turned away by the strong hands of AmaZulu debutant goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela.
Usuthu enjoyed three chances late in the first half, all of which fell the way of Tshepang Moremi.
With the first he forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams; the second drifted wide of the mark; and the third was denied by a brilliant block from Mosa Lebusa.
By this stage of the match Sundowns had begun to make mistakes in defence, a trend which continued early in the second half as Moremi and Sede Junior Dion had a couple of half chances which they weren’t quite able to capitalise on.
On 65 minutes AmaZulu had the ball in the back of the net via Hendrick Ekstein, but the effort was ruled out for an offside which television replays suggested was an incredibly tight call.
The Brazilians had problems to deal with at the defensive end, but they remained potent at the other and forced several saves from Mzimela via the boots of Shalulile, Zwane and Mokoena.
Yet the match ultimately ended 1-0 in favour of the team in yellow, with Usuthu unable to find a way to draw level.
The teams will be back in DStv Premiership action next Wednesday, 13 December, with AmaZulu hosting Sekhukhune United and Sundowns welcoming Cape Town Spurs.
AmaZulu 0
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Ribeiro 21’ pen)
AmaZulu: Mzimela, Sikhakhane (Ngema 39’), Fielies (Mbanjwa 87’), Gumede, Hanamub, Jooste, Mobara, Brooks, Ekstein (Ndlovu 87’), Moremi, Dion
Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Lebusa, Boutouil (Mashego 90+2’), Mokoena, Mkhulise (Maboe 75’), Allende (Morena 67’), Zwane, Shalulile (Nasir 90+2’), Ribeiro (Nku 67’)