Matthews stars as Sundowns sink stubborn AmaZulu to return to winning ways

Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways following a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu in their second PSL match of the season at the Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday.

Tashreeq Matthews was the match winner for Sundowns as he set up the first goal before scoring the second to hand Miguel Cardoso’s side all three points, having started the season with a 1-1 draw away to Chippa United.

The first half was a frustrating one for Sundowns whose only chance of note fell to Kutlwano Letlhaku but the youngster wasted his opportunity.

Sundowns’ relentlessness pays off

Sundowns were clearly missing playmaker Lucas Ribeiro as they struggled to break down a stubborn AmaZulu who also frustrated them with counter-attacks and aerial balls.

After the break, AmaZulu goalkeeper Darren Johnson was quickly called into action as he made himself big to deny Marcelo Allende from the near post but in the 52^nd minute, he could not do anything to keep out Sundowns.

Allende passed to Matthews who headed in the box and Iqraam Rayners headed home when unmarked to break the deadlock.  

Matthews kills off AmaZulu momentum

Matthews then had a great chance from a header but did not hit the target while against the run of play, AmaZulu missed a glorious opportunity, when Andiswa Sithole got in behind the Sundowns defence and with Ronwen Williams off his line, he looped over him but the ball rolled out.

Arthur Sales then made a good run on the counterattack and found Aubrey Modiba at the back-post but the left-back fired wide. AmaZulu also had a chance on the break but Sithole missed when he should have hit the target.

By now, it looked like Sundowns would win 1-0 but against the run of play, Matthews scored the second goal when he received a good pass from Allende in the box, controlled it well before firing past Johnson on the half-turn.