They were slow out of the starting blocks, but Mamelodi Sundowns got the three points they wanted from their Betway Premiership opener against SuperSport United on Tuesday.
The second half introduction of Themba Zwane, Aubrey Modiba and Tashreeq Matthews had the desired effect for Manqoba Mngqithi’s team as they scored two goals in quick succession.
Sundowns won the clash 2-0 to send a message to their challengers that they will not be taking their foot off the gas in their bid to win an eighth straight league title.
But, Tuesday’s game was one of two halves as there not many chances created in the first 45 minutes.
Sundowns had a glorious chance to go one goal up within minutes after kick-off, but Brazilian attacker Lucas Ribeiro slipped and failed to controll the ball after Iqraam Rayners’ square ball.
For the visitors, the best chance of the half fell to teenager Neo Rapoo, who fired the ball straight at Yashin Trophy nomiee Ronwen Williams, Sundowns’ captain on the night.
With half an hour played, Ribeiro had another shot at goal from outside of the 18-yard area, but Ricardo Goss in the SuperSport goal was alert and pushed the ball out for a corner.
For much of the half, the Sundowns defence held strong. But when they did get through and create half chances, Williams was there to prevent the ball from going in the net.
Immediately after the break, Goss had to be alert again as Ribeiro found himself with another chance to open the scoring from close range, but he shot straight at the goalkeeper.
On the hour mark, Mngqithi looked to change things up and introduced big guns Zwane, Matthews and Modiba, and the impact was instant.
With his first touch of the ball, Zwane threaded a ball into the box for Rayners, who made no mistake from close range and made it 1-0 to the champions.
And within minutes, it was 2-0 after Ribeiro slid the ball past Goss having been played through Matthews.
After breaking the deadlock, the game started to take a different feel as Sundowns grew in confidence. Not long after making it 2-0, Matthews and Ribeiro linked up beautifully again, but the Brazilian was not able to bury his chance.
And when SuperSport did have a chance, Williams, who relinquished the captain’s armband when Zwane came on, was unbeatable in the Sundowns goal.
In the end, Sundowns held on to take all three points thanks to their 2-0 win against their city rivals.
IOL Sport