Sundowns edge past Polokwane City

Teko Modise’s second goal in as many games secured a less than convincing 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns over Polokwane City in an Absa Premiership encounter at Loftus Stadium on Saturday evening.

The win meant Pitso Mosimane’s men managed to exact some revenge on the side that beat them 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Pitso Mosimane was forced into a couple of changes following injuries to Bongani Zungu and Tebogo Langerman.

Wayne Sandilands continued in goal while Mzikayise Mashaba, Anthony Laffor and Lebohang Mokoena returned to the starting XI.

Modiri Marumo was forced into action in the ninth minute with the Rise and Shine shot stopper pulling off a fine save to deny Rodney Ramagalela from close range.

Mashaba played a quick-fire ball into the former Black Leopards marksman who tried to pull off a cheeky flick but Marumo was up to the task.

Teko Modise continued his scoring streak, bagging the opener in the 17th minute following a sustained spell of pressure from the hosts.

Surprise Moriri’s initial effort was acrobatically cleared off the line by Mbhele but Modise pounced to poke home the rebound, 1-0.

Laffor and Moriri went close for the hosts before Marumo somehow kept out a trademark Hlompho Kekana thunderbolt before the break in what was a half dominated by the hosts.

Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Polokwane City at the interval.

Mokoena was presented with an opportunity to double the Brazilians lead in the 51st minute after being sent through on goal by Laffor but ‘Cheeseboy’ as he is affectionately known failed to place the ball past Morumo who was well positioned to deny the winger.

Wayne Sandilands who was virtually on holiday in the first half came up with a great near post save to deny Phulane Tlolane in the 71st minute.

The Rise and Shine striker escaped his marker but he was unable to direct his resulting header past the Bafana Bafana shot stopper.

Sundowns looked content to sit back in the final exchanges and were nearly punished in stoppage time.

Rakhale’s curling free-kick from just outside the area was on target but Sandilands was again up to the task.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Modise 17’)

Polokwane City (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: Sandilands; Mphahlele, Nthethe, Sumaila, Mashaba, Kekana, Modise (Nyandoro 90’), Moriri, Mokoena (Moon 77’), Laffor, Ramagalela (Masenamela 70’)

Polokwane City: Marumo; Mbhele, Tshilo, Mngqibisa, Lichaba, Rakhale, Mdluli (Mncwango 79’), Mthimkhulu, Jembula (Monyana 66’), Kanyenda, Tlolane (Tlolane 82’)