Mamelodi Sundowns continued their imperious run of form this season when they recorded a 2-0 victory over Gallants at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.
Masanndawana looked in the mood from the start, as they lurked in Gallants’ final third. Plenty of chances were created but the keeper remained firm on his spot, denying the hosts an early opener.
Upon his return to the starting lineup, Fawaaz Basadien found himself on the attacking side of things. On the left flank, the defender fired a shot looking to find the back of the net on the fourth minute but the keeper stretched his body to block the ball.
Just after 15 minutes, the visitors created their first chance of the match that came from a counterattack opportunity. The effort was struck from the left side which Williams smacked away and quickly collected before any white jersey could get to the ball.
On the 21st minute, Malibongwe Khoza broke the deadlock through an effort that had come from a corner kick. He found a rebound and triggered a shot that was unexpected by both the Gallants keeper and his defenders. A few minutes later, again, Khoza rattled the Gallants defence through a half-volley effort but this time around, the keeper caught the ball to deny the defender a brace.
On the other end of the field, Williams got tested again when Bahlabane Ba Ntwa drove the ball to the box from the left flank. The shot intended to find the back of the net was smacked away by the Downs keeper.
Tashreeq Matthews almost concluded the opening stanza with a goal when he was left unmarked. Looking to slot it in on the nearpost, Matthews’ effort missed the target by a few inches. This saw Masandawana heading to the interval with just a goal lead.
An opportunistic Cassius Mailula almost doubled the lead for the Brazilians on the 50th minute. After an individual run by Matthews towards goal, the ball was handed to Mailula who was unmarked. He managed to go past the keeper and struck the ball towards goal but his effort was cleared just before crossing the goal line by the Gallants defence.
Williams was forced to backtrack to his spot after a long-range effort was triggered by the Gallants side. He managed to catch the ball to deny the visitors a leveller.
A clear-cut chance presented itself for the hosts when Siyanda Ndlovu delivered the ball to Themba Zwane but Zwane’s first touch let him down as the ball got snatched from him.
A 67th minute powerful finish by Mailula doubled the lead for the Pretoria-based side. An under pressure Brayan Leon couldn’t make his way through the defenders so he made a backheel pass to Mailula who left no chance for the keeper.
