Mamelodi Sundowns beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 in an Absa Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night to move to the second position on the log.
Sibusiso Vilakazi gave Sundowns the lead in the 14th minute to score his fifth goal of the season.
Ndumiso Mabena leveled matters for the visitors in the 29th minute. Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana scored a wonderful free-kick in the second half to take maximum points.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says its tense moments now as they can’t afford to drop points.
The Brazilians have toppled Orlando Pirates in second spot and also cut log leaders Kaizer Chiefs lead to just four points.
They have accumulated 41 points in 20 matches. Five Sundowns players were booked and Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino, Mosa Lebusa, Vilakazi will miss the next match against Vaal University of Technology. Mosimane says it was deliberate.
Celtic lost their second match in four days after they also lost 2-0 to Highlands Park on Saturday.
Phunya Sele Sele also lost 2-1 to Sundowns in the first round match earlier this season. Head coach Lehlohonolo Seema says Sundowns are an experienced team.
The Free State team remains in 10th position on the log with 25 points from 21 matches. Seema also reacted to Sundowns wasting time and their players getting booked intentionally.
A standout performance from Sirino earned him today’s Man of the Match award! ?
#Sundowns #DownsLive #AbsaPrem pic.twitter.com/Lgz067BCWZ— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 19, 2020
?Injury Update?
Mosa Lebusa is being attended to by our medical team. A full update on the injury will follow.
#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/81MfJlcYtJ— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 19, 2020
– Report by Vincent Sitsula