Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Polokwane City 2-0 on Wednesday evening at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium to reduce the gap between them and leaders Orlando Pirates to just three points.
Rise and Shine had come into the match aiming at completing a double over the defending champions after an initial win in the initial meeting a couple of weeks ago.
However, they were not going to find it easy beating Masandawana who unleashed their recently launched white jersey that symbolizes youth, innocence, and positivity.
Letlhaku rewards Mngqithi
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, as expected, rotated his team in a bid to avoid fatigue in the future, with Peter Shalulile and Ronwen Williams the only survivors from the side that beat Kaizer Chiefs last weekend in the Carling Knockout quarter-final game.
Kutlwano Letlhaku and Arthur Sales were given an opportunity in the attacking department which was completed by Neo Maema.
Polokwane were comfortable sitting back and defending, hoping to catch the opponents in counterattacks, a tactic that did not work as anticipated.
Masandawana's patience eventually worked in the 26th minute. Sales combined well with Letlhaku whose effort was too much for Rise and Shine goalkeeper Manuel Sapunga who couldn't keep the ball out despite reaching it.
In the 35th minute, Sundowns' defense was breached by Manuel Kambala, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams quickly intervened to ensure his team finished the first half leading by a solitary goal.
Letlhaku's message to Mngqithi?
In the 54th minute, Polokwane had a massive chance to make the scores even. Bonginkosi Dlamini played a beautiful cross into the Brazillians' danger zone. The ball kindly fell to the unmarked Hlayisi Cheuke whose header completely missed the target with Williams well beaten.
It could have turned out to be a costly miss as a minute later, Maema initiated a good move from deep. The midfielder passed the ball to Sales who played Letlhaku on, but goalkeeper Sapunga risked all to make a vital touch to deny the 22-year-old.
In the 68th minute, Letlhaku completed his brace; Sales raced clear on the left before passing the ball to the winger who had no problem tapping the ball into the net to ease Masandawana's pressure. It was a message to coach Manqoba Mngqithi that he can be used regularly.
Sundowns have now collected six wins from seven outings which keeps them second on the table with 18 points, three less than leaders Orlando Pirates.
The next assignment will be against Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout semi-final game on Sunday.
