/ 12 April 2007

Mamelodi Sundowns virtually certain champions

A dramatic injury time goal by veteran striker Peter Ndlovu virtually assured Mamelodi Sundowns a second successive South African premier league title as they beat Maritzburg United 2-1 in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Ndlovu’s goal lifted Sundowns beyond the reach of all except one of their rivals and into a position in which they are all but mathematically guaranteed the championship.

Sundowns will need to lose all their remaining five league matches and eighth-placed Orlando Pirates win all their six games and turn around massive goal difference if Sundowns are to be denied.

Josta Dladla gave Sundowns the perfect start against bottom-placed Maritzburg with a ninth-minute goal but the visitors equalised through Congolese international Kabamba Musasa after the break and threatened to spoil the home side’s party until Ndlovu’s diving header in the closing stages of the game.

The title is set to be the fourth for coach Gordon Igesund in the last 10 years — all achieved with different South African premier league clubs. – Reuters