Saleng makes winning return to Orbit as Sundowns move three clear of Pirates

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Saleng makes winning return to Orbit as Sundowns move three clear of Pirates
Arthur Sales, Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns

Monnapule Saleng had a fruitful return to Orbit College with Mamelodi Sundowns as his new side secured a 2-0 league win to open up a three-point lead on Tuesday.

Saleng was handed his first start in a Sundowns shirt and it was an emotional one as it came against his ex-side Orbit College, who he played for on loan from Pirates for the first half of this season.

While he did not score, the winger looked lively in the early exchanges and should have had an assist in the first half before second half goals from Miguel Reisinho and Iqraam Rayners did the job for Sundowns.

Mamelodi Sundowns players Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba celebrate a goal.
Mamelodi Sundowns players Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba celebrate a goal. Photo – Mamelodi Sundowns

Reisinho should have had an assist after six minutes when he picked out Arthur Sales with a good ball over the Orbit College defence but the Brazilian forward headed over the bar.

Saleng makes early impact

The home side’s best chance fell to Ayanda Lukhele who headed down from a cross while in the box with Ronwen Williams having an easy save.

In the ninth minute, Sundowns had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. Saleng made a good run on the right wing and took a great shot but his effort hit a defender and deflected towards Rayners, who tapped home at the near post but he was offside.

Monnapule Saleng playing at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Monnapule Saleng playing at Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Screengrab

After this effort, Orbit College started frustrating Sundowns on the counter attack but poor decision-making in the final third let them down.

Before the break, Sales had a great effort from outside the box but saw it sail over the bar as both sides went in at halftime goalless.

Sundowns’ quality on display

However, upon resumption, it took Sundowns just two minutes to open the scoring after a neat exchange of passes saw Rayners cross to Nuno Santos and the playmaker headed to his Portuguese compatriot Reisinho in the box.

Reisinho got to the ball ahead of former Sundowns man Brian Onyango to score the opener for Miguel Cardoso’s side.

Ten minutes later, Sundowns were celebrating a second goal and it came via the penalty spot. The PSL champions went on a quick attack before Ramahlwe Mphahlele hacked down Khuliso Mudau and the referee pointed to the spot.

Title pressure now on Pirates

Rayners, who had scored in three straight matches, stepped up and converted his 10th PSL goal of the season.

That is how it ended with Sundowns also recording a similar result against Orbit College in the first leg in January which sees them take their tally to 47 points from 20 matches after a seventh straight league win.

Sundowns are now three points ahead of Pirates, who can draw level on Wednesday if they beat Richards Bay at home. 

<!-- 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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