Pelembe goal downs Aces

An early strike from Elias Pelembe secured a 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns over Mpumalanga Black Aces in an Absa Premiership encounter at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Pelembe’s goal meant that the Brazilians retained their three point advantage atop of the league table heading into the final three games of the season. Title challengers Kaizer Chiefs beat Polokwane City 2-0. 

Sundowns got off to a flying start with Pelembe opening the scoring in the eighth minute following a sustained spell of pressure.

Pelembe lost his marker before nodding Tebogo Langerman’s precise cross past Jackson Mabokgwane from close range.

Aces were dealt another blow soon after as Mabokgwane had to be replaced by Bafana Nhlapo after picking up an injury.

Teko Modise rattled the upright on the half-hour mark as the hosts continued to boss proceedings.

Despite spending most of the first 45 minutes deep into their own half, AmaZayoni did have a chance to pull level on the stroke of half-time.

Kennedy Mweene, who was virtually untested in the opening stanza, had to be at his very best  to deny Clifford Ngobeni, whose low shot looked destined for the back of the net.

Thabang Rooi cleared Alje Schut’s header off the line 10 minutes into the second stanza before Mweene was forced into a good save to deny Thabo Qalinge at the other end.

Nhlapo pulled off a string of superb save towards the end of the game to keep Aces in the game and despite Zamuxolo Ngalo squandering a glorious chance, ‘Downs were rarely tested in the final stretch as they held on to remain at the summit of the table.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Pelembe 8’)

Mpumalanga Black Aces 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Langerman, Schut, Nthethe, Mphahlele, Wome (Ramagalela 52’), Kekana, Modise, Moriri (Malajila 72’), Pelembe, Laffor (Sumaila 86’)

Mpumalanga Black Aces: Mabokgwane (Nhlapo 14’), Kobola (Mdledle 82’), Nato, Rooi, Ngalo, Ngobeni, Zuke, Qalinge, Nale, Khenyeza (Okonkwo 58’), Ndoro

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