It took a decisive lone goal from Ivory Coast defender Bangaly Soumahoro to assure Mamelodi Sundowns of a comfortable two-point lead at the summit of the ABSA-sponsored South African Premier Soccer League.
The 26-year-old, in his third-year at the club, planted home a brilliant effort after only six minutes in the first-half – a goal that stood out to end of time, capping off a brilliant night for coach Pitso John Mosimane and his ‘Brazilians’.
The 53-year-old Kagiso-born is the longest-serving coach, spending five years on the managerial helm of a side whose owner, Patrice Motsepe, is said to be trigger-happy and has sacked numerous other coaches.
As a result, Sunday night’s encounter against Golden Arrows was a milestone worth celebrating for coach Pitso and Bangaly ensured there was no dampener to the festive mood by netting the winner.
Sundowners who missed out on the title to bottom-placed Wits Bidvest last term is now on seven wins in eleven matches with a draw and losing on three occasions.
Also on Sunday, Bloemfontein Celtic whipped Free State Stars 3-0 with 24-year-old striker Sepana Victor Letsaolo scoring a brace while teammate Lucky Baloyi grabbed the other goal.
Elsewhere, second-placed Orlando Pirates were tied to a one-all score by Amazulu in a fixture that had Nitsikelelo Nyauza going from zero to hero.
The defender, under pressure, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 23rd minute before making up for it to score Pirates’ equalizing goal eleven minutes later.
SuperSport United drew Cape Town City 1-1 at the Mbombela Stadium as Polokwane City and Bidvest settled for a similar score. League-leading goal scorer (seven goals) Rodney Ramagalela was the go-to-guy for City.
Kaizer Chiefs were also on the winning end against Platinum Stars courtesy of veteran midfielder Lawrence Siphwie Tshabalala’s lone goal. Ajax Cape Town too walked the path of victory strolling past Chippa United 1-0.
Earlier on Friday, Matrizburg United downed Baroko 3-0 who slipped from second to third in the standings after the second defeat in a row.
Evans Ruskie pulled off a brace; first scoring in the 31st minute to break the deadlock before doubling the lead eight minutes into the second-half. Siphesihle Ndlovu buried home the final goal.
