Mamelodi Sundowns consoled their fans with a 2-0 victory in their first home Premier League encounter against Wits University at the Super Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Brazilians’s first win after a 0-0 draw against newly promoted Amazulu followed by a 1-0 loss midweek against Durban’s Lamontville Golden Arrows.
Sundowns made their intentions clear in the sixth minute when star-striker Jose Torrealba’s ball went wide.
Downs’ trio of right-wing Torrealba, centre Surprise Moriri and left-wing Manqoba Ngwenya terrorised the visitors and they created a number of goal-scoring opportunities, but the Wits defence stood firm.
In the 21st minute, Torrealba headed home from Moriri’s cross to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes later, Sundowns appealed for a penalty when Bhuti Sithole brought down Torrealba inside the box, but the referee was unmoved.
Wits failed to capitalise in the 40th minute when Abram Raselemane found himself unmarked inside the Sundowns box, but the striker shot wide, leaving the score at 1-0 in favour of the home side at half-time.
Early in the second half, Wits thought they had equalised through Ashraf Hendricks but the player was ruled offside.
Wits continued to push men forward in search of the equaliser and the Clever Boys almost found their target in the 54th minute when Nhlanhla Kubheka took a long-range shot, but it was saved by goalkeeper Calvin Marlin.
Marlin made a double save to deny Hendricks two minutes later.
In reply, Sundowns and Bafana Bafana right back Vuyo Mere’s header was blocked by Wits goalkeeper Moeneb Josephs.
In the 76th minute, Moriri scored off a brilliant cross from Ngwenya to give the Brazilians three points.
It was Wits’s turn to apply the pressure for a consolation goal but the impenetrable Downs defence prevented any recovery. – Sapa