Champions Sundowns stretch unbeaten run to 21 matches

JOHANNESBURG – Thapelo Morena scored as Mamelodi Sundowns extended an unbeaten South African Premiership run to 21 matches with a laboured 1-0 home win over Riohards Bay in Pretoria on Tuesday.

The defender-cum-midfielder slammed the ball past Ugandan goalkeeper Salim Magoola from close range on 25 minutes after pouncing on a deflection.

Morena was one of only four starters retained from the side that built a 4-1 CAF Champions League quarterfinal first-leg lead over Chabab Belouizdad in Algeria last Saturday.

“I am not a big fan of rotation,” said Rhulani Mokwena, the 36-year-old coach of Sundowns who never played top-class football.

“Making a lot of changes means you can lose cohesion and rhythm. However, after arriving home from Algeria only yesterday after a 20-hour journey, I had no option.

“This was a very, very tough match and we our grateful to goalkeeper Ronwen (Williams), who made many brilliant saves. He has to be a strong candidate for the Premiership player of the season.”

Williams, who also played in Algeria, was much busier than Magoola, repeatedly foiling Richards Bay attackers led by man-of-the-match Sanele Barns.

Richards Bay coach Ronnie Gabriel lamented the missed chances, saying “it is the story of our season. We gave a top-notch display only to fail in the final third of the pitch”.

“We lost but I believe our supporters will be proud of a fantastic performance. Every player fought for the badge.”

Sundowns have won 17 league matches and drawn four since losing a Pretoria derby against SuperSport United last September, and were crowned champions with seven games to spare.

But promoted Bay are struggling after lying second at one stage. The defeat by Sundowns extended a winless Premiership run to 11 matches and they have slipped to 10th in the table.