Mamelodi Sundowns bounced back from their elimination from the CAF Champions League quarterfinals by defeating Stellenbosch 1-0 at the Coetzenburg Stadium in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on Wednesday.
Themba Zwane scored the game’s only goal in the ninth minute slotting home after neat interplay with Sibusiso Vilakazi.
Stellenbosch threatened the Sundowns goal on occasions but failed to convert their chances. The hosts nearly grabbed a dramatic late equaliser but Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango did well to tip over a shot by defender Mogamed De Goede.
Sundowns’ win saw them close the gap on Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs to four points with a game in hand.
Sundowns Coach Pitso Mosimane was happy with his team’s effort to secure the win, which he said was affected by their exertions against Al Ahly on Saturday.
“You can see, in the last minutes, we didn’t have the legs but only the heart was there for the guys. They showed the resilience, they fought. You could see Themba Zwane, (Gaston) Sirino, I had to take them off because I knew at the end they would never help us (due to fatigue). I know our supporters are not happy when I take Themba Zwane, Sirino off,” Mosimane said.
Mosimane also lamented about the congested schedule that Sundowns had to contend with.
“We have a game on Saturday. There’s too many games. We are playing well-rested teams here. So we got to do what we have to do,” Mosimane said.
Sundowns next play away to Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa, Johannesburg, in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
