Moriri guides ‘Downs back to the top

A late strike from Surprise Moriri handed Mamelodi Sundowns a
hard-fought 2-1 victory over Free State Stars in an Absa Premiership
encounter played at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday evening.

Cuthbert Malajila opened the scoring on the night, while Camaldine
Adam scored for Ea Lla Koto.

Pitso Mosimane made two changes to the starting line-up that lost 1-0
to Polokwane City, with Anthony Laffor replacing Khama Billiat and
Alje Schut coming in for Wayne Arendse.

Kennedy Mweene and Dove Wome, who joined the Brazilians in the winter
transfer window, made their first appearance against their former
side. Rodney Ramagalela, who had yet to feature for ‘Downs this
season, was named amongst the subs.

Meanwhile, Steve Komphela made three changes to the Free State Stars
side that lost 2-0 to Bidvest Wits last time out. Bokang Tlhone,
Mongezi Bobe and Angelo Kerspuy were included in the starting line-up
in place of Reuben Thebakang, Lucky Mokoena and Enva Wiltwer.

The game started off slowly with both sides struggling to break down
the opposition’s defence.

As a result both teams were limited to long range efforts within the
first 10 minutes but neither managed team to challenge the opposing
shot stoppers.

‘Downs captain Alje Schut, who has made a habit of scoring from set
pieces, almost punished Ea Lla Koto in the 13th minute.  The Dutchman
rose highest but could only manage to direct Kekana’s free-kick wide
of Daniel Agyei’s goal.

Malajila looked to most likely to score for the Brazilians and did
just that in the 27th minute.
The Zimbabwean lost his marker before nodding a precise Wome
corner-kick past Agyei.

‘Downs continued to look the more likely to find the back of the net
and Wome nearly doubled their tally with a freak goal two minutes
before the break. The Togolese midfielder’s curling corner-kick had
Agyei beaten but not the post.

Ea Lla Koto came out a different side in the second stanza and
levelled matters in the 52nd minute through Camaldine Abraw.

Mongezi Bobe made a driving run down the right flank before playing
into the path of the Togolese striker, who tapped in to bag his first
goal of the campaign.

Free State Stars dominated proceedings in the second stanza and
should’ve taken the lead but poor decision making let them down.

Second half substitute Basit Adam was especially guilty of trying to
beat the whole Brazilian defence on his own when he had a teammate
completely unmarked.

Surprise Moriri punished Stars for failing to take their chances four
minutes from time.
Malajila picked out Moriri following a swift counter attack, the
veteran midfielder subsequently took the cross down superbly before
guiding his effort into the back of the net.

The goal made for a tense final few minutes but the Brazilians held on
to move to the summit of the table.  Free State Stars drop down to
14th place on the log.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Malajila 27’ Moriri 86’)
Free State Stars (0) 1 (Abraw 52’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Langerman, Schut, Sumaila, Moon, Kekana
(Moriri 83’), Laffor, Zungu, Wome (Shongwe 64’), Malajila, Mashego
(Ramagalela 64’)

Free State Stars: Agyei, Masehe, Ouro-Akoriko, Shabalala, Tlhone, Bobe
(Yende 54’), Mashego, Kerspuy, Nomandela (Esterhuizen 75’), Venter,
Abraw (Basit 66’)

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