Sundowns finally take their chance to move top

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Feb 27, 2019. 21:32

Mamelodi Sundowns beat Cape Town City 3-2 in a five goal Absa Premiership thriller at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane on Saturday evening.

Victory moves the Brazilians top of the log standings heading into this weekend's round of fixtures, six points clear of title challengers Cape Town City.

Lebohang Maboe fired the Brazilians in front with 23 minutes on the clock following a sustained spell of pressure from the hosts. The attacker latching into a superb long range pass by Tebogo Langerman before firing home for his sixth of the campaign.

Sundowns squandered several further chances and were made to rue those misses three minutes into the second half as Riyaad Norodien pulled the two teams level. The winger making no mistake from the spot following a handball in the area by Tebogo Langerman.

The hosts restored their lead on the hour mark through a crisp Anthony Laffor strike. The Liberian ran onto the loose ball on the edge of the area before guiding an unstoppable shot into the corner of the net.

Phakamani Mahlambi doubled Sundowns lead in the 87th minute with his second goal in as many games. The former Bidvest Wits man with the easiest on finishes following an unselfish lay-up by Themba Zwane.

Kermit Erasmus made for a nervy finish with a thunderous finish in the 92nd minute, that left Kennedy Mweene gobsmacked, but Sundowns held on to move top of the standings for the first time this season.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 3 (Maboe 23' Laffor 60' Mahlambi 87'

Cape Town City (0) 2 (Norodien 48' PEN Erasmus 90+2')

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene; Langerman, Nascimento (Lebusa 65'), Coetzee, Ngcongca, Kekana, Jali, Zwane, Laffor (Lakay 83'), Maboe, Sirino (Mahlambi 75').

Cape Town City: Leeuwenburgh, Mkhize, Cupido Fielies, Dove (Sedat 46'), Mokeke, Modise (Kewuti 46'), Links, Martin, Norodien, Mthembu (Erasmus 67').