Sundowns blunt Golden Arrows to dethrone Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns brought Golden Arrows down to earth as they beat them 2-1 in a match played at Loftus Versveld Stadium on Saturday.

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Peter Shalulile opened the scoring for the Brazilians before Pule Mmodi equalised but it was Siyavuya Ndlovu’s own goal that handed Sundowns maximum points on the night.

As a result, Sundowns dethroned Orlando Pirates at the top of the standings after they temporarily had a taste of sitting at the summit following their 2-0 win over TS Galaxy in the earlier kick-off.

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As expected, Sundowns enjoyed huge ball possession from the word go, and forced Arrows to play in their own half.

Shalulile twice came close to opening the scoring – first in the 18th minute when he connected with Khuliso Mudau’s cross but Nkosingiphile Gumede was positioned to make a save.

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The Namibia international was again well-positioned to get to Themba Zwane’s cross but his attempted shot went wide of Gumede’s goal.

With everyone convinced that the game would go to the break at 0-0, Sundowns won a penalty after Gumede had brought down Shalulile inside the box.

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Shalulile stepped up and made no mistake on the stroke of half-time in what was his sixth league goal of the campaign.

Arrows came from the half-time break an improved team, and four minutes into the second half, Mmodi restored parity with a clinical finish.

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Sundowns put more pressure on Arrows in an attempt to restore their lead, and they were rewarded on the hour-mark as Zwane’s attempted shot deflected off Ndlovu and into the back of the net.

The home side would hold on to their 2-1 lead in the final 30 minutes although Arrows did try to get back into the game in the closing stages.

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MAMELODI SUNDOWNS VS GOLDEN ARROWS: STARTING LINEUPS

Mamelodi Sundowns Xi: Williams, Mudau, Ngobeni, de Reuck, Mvala, Jali, Mkhulise, Mbule, Zwane, Allende, Shalulile.

Subs: Onyango, Morena, Mailula, Maema, Kapinga, Saavedra, Lakay, Kekana, Mokoena.

Golden Arrows XI: Gumede, Nxadi, Zuke, Lunga, Ndlovu, Dube, Dlamini, Mmodi, Sibiya, Ndwandwe, Mutizwa.

Subs: Mbatha, Mantshiyane, Shitolo, Fikizolo, Cele, Magawana, Gumbi, Khumalo, Moon.