Mamelodi Sundowns have for the third time in a row defended their South Africa Premier Soccer League title after securing a 3-0 win against Black Leopards at Dobsonville Stadium on the final day of the season.
It meant they finished two points ahead of Kaizer Chiefs who were held to a one-all draw by Baroka FC at Bidvest Stadium.
Both Sundowns and Chiefs will play in the next season’s Africa Champions League as South Africa’s two representatives.
Ricardo Nascimento should have opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes with the Brazilian showed great control before curling his effort just wide of the target from close range.
Seven minutes later Themba Zwane passed to Promise Mkhuma with the winger feeding Gaston Sirino down the right wing and fired a shot at goal from a tight angle but it was comfortably dealt with by Leopards goalkeeper Ndlovu.
Despite Sundowns’ dominance with the ball, Aboubakar created a chance for Leopards in the 29th minute, as he forced Kennedy Mweene into a fine save from 25-yards out.
The Pitso Mosimane charges were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute after Khomotso Masia brought Zwane down inside the box.
Ricardo Nascimento rose up to take the penalty but it was saved by goalkeeper King Ndlovu, who also kept out the rebound.
Matlaba came close to grabbing an opener for Leopards after a nice play-in ball that he took superbly but his last shot went wide.
The Brazilians took the lead at the stroke of half-time, as Lebohang Maboe beat his marker to head into the far corner for a deserved lead.
Sundowns continued to dominate after the halftime break and eventually doubled their lead in the 53rd minute thanks to powerful strike from Maboe.
Black Leopards poured forward in search of their first goal time and again threatening the Brazilians midfield.
Gymah should have scored for the Dylan Kerr charges in the 74th minute but the defender failed to direct his header on target from six-yards out.
The Brazilians sealed their win in the 89th minute when Maboe registered his name for the third time on the score sheet with a beautiful finish.
Leopards had a couple promising moves in the latter stages of the half but could not bypass a solid Sundowns defence and they were relegated from Absa premiership.
