Sundowns on top in seven-goal thriller

The head coach of Black Leopards, Mr Sunday Chidzambwa, has at last openly agreed that only a miracle will save his side from relegation. This came after Black Leopards lost 2-5 to Mamelodi Sundowns in their Absa Premiership encounter at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday evening.

It took the visitors from Pretoria only four minutes to break the deadlock. Their captain, Teko Modise, penetrated the defence of Leopards and beat their keeper, Postnet Omony, with a ground cutter. The Brazilians increased the margin four minutes later. Their Mozambican international, Elias Pelembe, unleashed from the 25-meter area.

Omony denied Sundowns a third goal in the 18th minute, when he palmed Nyasha Mshekwi’s header away for a corner kick.

Sundowns were awarded a free kick in the 35-meter area after Vincent Mabusela obstructed Teko Modise in the 27th minute. The former Leopards midfielder, Hlompho Kekana, scored the third for Sundowns from the set piece. Leopards reduced the deficit by one, seven minutes before the break. Their captain, Mongezi Bobe, headed home after a free kick that was taken by Tiyani Mabunda.

Leopards replaced Edgar Manaka with Mahlatse Maake shortly after the break, but Nyasha Mshekwi found the net five minutes into the second half.

Realizing that their defence was leaking, Leopards introduced Harry Nyirenda for Victor Kamuka soon after Sundowns’ fourth goal. The home side pulled one back through Tiyani Mabunda, whose long-range volley looked too hot for the Brazilians’ keeper to handle.

Leopards replaced Abbas Amidu with Mxolisi Gumede, but that did not stop Sundowns from scoring their fifth goal through Elias Pelembe in the 70th minute. – LiN News/Limpopo Mirror