Johannesburg — South African Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns fielded 11 reserves and still won 2-1 at home against fourth-placed Sekhukhune United 2-1 in Pretoria on Tuesday.
A scintillating start saw the hosts score twice within seven minutes through Tashreeq Matthews and Thapelo Morena. Nigerian Chibuike Ohizu converted a 50th-minute penalty for the losers.
The victory leaves Sundowns unbeaten in 46 league matches spanning two seasons and needing six points from eight matches to be crowned champions a record-extending seventh consecutive time.
Sundowns rested all 11 players who started in a 1-0 away loss to Esperance of Tunisia last Saturday in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final.
The return match is on Friday, and Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena opted to field a different team, captained by 38-year-old former Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango.
Another #DStvPrem win for Bafana Ba Style! Let’s keep going Masandawana! 💪😍
Mamelodi Sundowns (1′ Matthews, 7′ Morena) 2⃣➖1⃣ Sekhukhune United (51′ Ohizu)#Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/Q9z072VZiz
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 23, 2024
Onyango took a knock to the head on 30 minutes after a collision with Sekhukhune captain Linda Mntambo and had to leave the field on a stretcher with a deep cut and suspected concussion.
Another east African starter for Sundowns, Kenya defender Brian Onyango, had a nightmare third outing of the season, and his foul on Vusimuzi Mncube led to the Sekhukhune penalty.
After being constantly booed by the crowd, Onyango was taken off just before the hour mark, and the reaction of the fans upset Mokwena.
“Brian made some mistakes — every player does. He was a little ring rusty having been an unused substitute for most of the season, but his heart is in the right place,” said the coach.
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Source: AFP
Picture: X/@Masandawana
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