Mamelodi Sundowns registered a comprehensive 2-0 victory on Wednesday evening when they hosted Polokwane City for a league return fixture at Loftus Versfeld.
Seeking to shake off memories of the first meeting between the two sides this season, Masandawana looked to stretch the Polokwane City defence on the hybrid pitch. That was achieved as the hosts created a lot of threatening chances, especially in the opening minutes of the match.
After a titanic tussle between the two sides, the deadlock was broken in the 27th minute by youngster Kutlwano Letlhaku.
The ball came from Aurthur Sales, who found space in front of the Polokwane City defence to backfoot pass it to Letlhaku.
The 18-year-old striker cut inside and shot a powerful finish that went past the goalkeeper to register his first league goal. The opener was a confidence booster for Bafana Ba Style as they looked hungrier to see more goals in the opening half.
Not long after the opener, they conjured up another chance through Divine Lunga but were unlucky not to get it in the net. Rise and Shine were equal on the attack as they tried to capitalise on their counterattacks.
The biggest threat from their side came from a counterattack, which saw their striker drive the ball to Sundowns’ box, but Ronwen Williams anticipated the danger and went out of the box to quickly clear the ball.
Despite a first half full of threatening chances by both sides, it was the hosts who went to the break with a goal advantage, courtesy of Letlhaku.The return of play saw a stronger Mamelodi Sundowns side as they looked to extend their advantage.
On the 50–minute mark, the hosts created two clear-cut chances from Neo Maema and Sphelele Mkhulise, but the finishing wasn’t to perfection as they missed the target.
Another agonising big chance came from Letlhaku as he aimed for the near post, but the ball hit the side of the net. Another opportunity from Letlhaku was snatched off his feet in the 18-area by the goalkeeper.
Loftus Versfeld almost saw an equaliser from Rise and Shine just before the hour mark, but luckily for the hosts, the header from range was miscued.
A lead extender finally came in the 68th minute through Letlhaku, who was named man of the match. Sales capitalised on an error made by the visitors on the left flank as he intercepted the ball. He then unselfishly supplied the ball to Letlhaku, who made a simple tap-in to record himself a brace.
The night was concluded by a big effort from the Limpopo-based side, but Williams was very alert as he bucketed the ball and maintained another clean sheet for his side.
The Brazilians remain second on the tally, only three points below the side that currently holds the first position.
