Mokoena scores brace as Mamelodi Sundowns sink Gallants to open two-point lead

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Mokoena scores brace as Mamelodi Sundowns sink Gallants to open two-point lead
Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo - Mamelodi Sundowns

Mamelodi Sundowns went two points clear of Orlando Pirates on the Premier Soccer League table following their 3-1 victory over Marumo Gallants at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.

Sundowns had to do it the hard way but goals from Keano Cupido in the first half and a brace from Teboho Mokoena in the second did the job as Miguel Cardoso’s team took their tally to 50 points from 21 matches.

The Brazilians had the first opportunity after seven minutes when Keagan Johannes missed from close range from a corner before Cupido also headed out soon after.

Khuliso Mudau, Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate
Khuliso Mudau, Marcelo Allende and Teboho Mokoena of Mamelodi Sundowns celebrate. Photo – Mamelodi Sundowns

Two minutes later, Tashreeq Matthews should have broken the deadlock when Arthur Sales picked him up with a great ball at the back post but he headed directly at Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Mamelodi Sundowns score but Ndlondlo gives Gallants hope

Sundowns would get the breakthrough in the 30th minute when Cupido rose highest to head Marcelo Allende’s freekick but the goal was credited as an own goal from Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya and soon after, Mokoena should have scored the second when he unleashed a thunderbolt which Arubi punched away.

However, in the 38th minute, Sundowns gave Gallants a route back into the game via the penalty spot. A long ball lofted into the Sundowns box saw Sales head it out but it fell to the raised arm of Nuno Santos and the referee pointed to the spot.

Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate a goal against Stade Malien.
Mamelodi Sundowns players celebrate a goal against Stade Malien. Photo – Mamelodi Sundowns

Former Pirates man Philip Ndlondlo stepped up and sent Ronwen Williams the wrong way for 1-1, giving his ex-side hopes of retaining their spot at the top of the table.

Ndondlo then squandered a big opportunity to take Gallants to the break with a 2-1 lead when against the run of play, he opted to shoot and missed the target when he had two teammates to pass to.

Where does the victory leave Miguel Cardoso’s team?

After a 1-1 draw at halftime, Sundowns upped the ante upon resumption with Arubi forced into a couple of saves but in the 61st minute, Cardoso’s team went ahead. It was a classic counter attack after Mokoena won possession and set his team on the break before he completed the move by firing low past Arubi after Sales picked him out.

Just five minutes later, Gallants had an opportunity to level matters but Ndlondlo, who had received a good pass behind the Sundowns defence, failed to find a way past Williams when he only had the goalkeeper to beat. 

Mokoena would fire home the third and his second of the game in stoppage time after a neat exchange of passes at the edge of the box as Sundowns collected three more points, their eighth straight win in the league, which now makes them the outright leaders in the PSL with 50 points, two more than Pirates who had now dropped to second, with both sides having played 21 games.

It was the best warm up for their CAF Champions League quarter-final second leg away to Stade Malien of Mali in Bamako on Saturday, a game in which they hold a 3-0 first leg advantage.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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