Pretoria – An early strike from Elias Pelembe secured a 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns over Black Aces in a PSL encounter at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
Pelembe’s goal meant that the Brazilians retained their three point advantage atop of the league table heading into the final three games of the season. Title challengers Kaizer Chiefs beat Polokwane City 2-0.  
 
Sundowns got off to a flying start with Pelembe opening the scoring in the eighth minute following a sustained spell of pressure.
 
Pelembe lost his marker before nodding Tebogo Langerman’s precise cross past Jackson Mabokgwane from close range.
 
Aces were dealt another blow soon after as Mabokgwane had to be replaced by Bafana Nhlapo after picking up an injury.
 
Teko Modise rattled the upright on the half-hour mark as the hosts continued to boss proceedings.
 
Despite spending most of the first 45 minutes deep into their own half, AmaZayoni did have a chance to pull level on the stroke of half-time.
 
Kennedy Mweene, who was virtually untested in the opening stanza, had to be at his very best  to deny Clifford Ngobeni, whose low shot looked destined for the back of the net.
 
Thabang Rooi cleared Alje Schut’s header off the line 10 minutes into the second stanza before Mweene was forced into a good save to deny Thabo Qalinge at the other end.
 
Nhlapo pulled off a string of superb save towards the end of the game to keep Aces in the game and despite Zamuxolo Ngalo squandering a glorious chance, ‘Downs were rarely tested in the final stretch as they held on to remain at the summit of the table.
 
Scorer:

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Pelembe 8’)
Black Aces 0
 
Teams:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Langerman, Schut, Nthethe, Mphahlele, Wome (Ramagalela 52’), Kekana, Modise, Moriri (Malajila 72’), Pelembe, Laffor (Sumaila 86’)
 
Black Aces: Mabokgwane (Nhlapo 14’), Kobola (Mdledle 82’), Nato, Rooi, Ngalo, Ngobeni, Zuke, Qalinge, Nale, Khenyeza (Okonkwo 58’), Ndoro

Backpagemedia

Bloemfontein – A goal by Moeketsi Sekola has secured a 1-0 win for Free State Stars over University of Pretoria in their Premiership match at Charles Mopeli Stadium on Wednesday.

Stars came into the game in second last position on the log, and sought a timely three points. With the win, Stars improve to 24 points with four games remaining.

Tuks, meanwhile, stay on 31 points with three matches left to play.

Tuks player Junior Sibande was the first to threaten for either side, with the game in its fourth minute. Sibande went for goal from a free kick, but Bruce Mtshali in the Stars goal made the save.

Stars scored the opener in the 56th minute. The home side were awarded a corner and Danny Venter sent the ball into the area, and Sekola found the back of the net to take a valuable lead.

Both Venter and Sekola attempted to increase their one-goal advantage within minutes following the goal, but neither player could find a second breakthrough.

In the dying minutes of the clash, Richard Henyekane spurned the chance to double the score for his side. The player on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, however, could not keep his effort on target as the ball missed to the left of the target.

Tuks keeper Washington Arubi was kept busy in the final exchanges, and made a number of saves to avoid his side falling further behind.

The spoils, though, would belong to the hosts who picked up just their sixth league win of the season, at a vital point in their campaign.

Scorers:
Free State Stars (0) 1 (Sekola 57’)
University of Pretoria 0
 
Free State Stars: Mtshali, Basie, Cardoso, Ouro-Akoriko, Thebakang (Gege 90’), Venter (Mokoena 76’), Sekola, Masehe, Nomandela (Mthethwa 83’), Abraw, Henyekane
 
University of Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Mkhwanazi, Monyai (Mathosi 78’), Sibande, Mosadi (Monama 62’), Shoyisa, Matsi, Ketjijere, Nyondo, Massa (Mnyamane 35’)

SAPA