Katlego Mphela’s first half goal was enough to hand Mamelodi Sundowns a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Black Leopards at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday afternoon in an Absa Premiership match.

In the 23rd minute of the match Sundowns broke the deadlock through Mphela, who has just recovered from a long term injury. Mushekwi put in a beautiful cross from the left wing and Mphela powerfully headed home from six-yards out for his first goal of the season in his first start.

In the 32nd minute there was a let off for Leopards when central defender Humphrey Khoza missed a cross from the right flank and the ball fell onto the path of Mushekwi, who saw his shot from very close saved by the Leopards keeper

Leopards had a great opportunity to equalise in the 41st minute when Raymond Monama looked for striker Rodney Ramagalela inside the box, but the striker slid the ball into Sundowns keeper Wayne Sandilands’ path and the keeper saved.

Two minutes into the second half, Anthony Laffour put in a good cross from the left wing but Mushekwi headed wide with a diving header inside the box. Eight minutes later Mushekwi again had a chance with a header when Elias Pelembe put in a good cross from the right flank but the Zimbabwean international headed high.

In the 66th minute Sundowns should have closed the match out. After turning the ball over from a Leopards free kick, Teko Modise led a fast breaking counter attack and released an unmarked Laffor who agonisingly shot wide across the face of goal with left foot.

In the 71st minute Leopards skipper Mongezi Bobe’s low shot from outside the box was well saved by Sandilands. The win sees Sundowns stretch their unbeaten record to five league matches.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Mphela 23’)

Black Leopards 0

Teams:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Sandilands, Mwanjale Langerman, Mampuru (Mabaso 34’), Schut, Sangweni (Kekana 74‘), Pelembe, Laffor, Modise (Shongwe 83’), Mphela, Mushekwi,

Black Leopards: Mtshali, Khoza, Munganga, Maake, Nkambule, Bobe (Obaje 80’), Kwena (Dzaga 58’), Monama (Mongala 60’), Ramagalela, Sithole, Xakane