DStv Premiership match report SuperSport United v Mamelodi Sundowns 11 December 2021

Mamelodi Sundowns moved 14 points clear at the summit of the DStv Premiership table with a 1-0 triumph over Tshwane rivals SuperSport United.

Changes either side had Sundowns recall Denis Onyango, Thapelo Morena, Rivaldo Coetzee, Sphelele Mkhulise and Themba Zwane, while United had a new face in goal in Baolefa Pule.

SuperSport missed coach Kaitano Tembo, who had tested positive for the Coronavirus pandemic, and quite a few regulars too who had tested positive or are in insolation.

The Brazilians though hit the ground running nine minutes on the clock after Peter Shalulile took a through pass from Zwane in his stride to find the far corner from a tight angle.

SuperSport were close to going level minutes later through a half-volley from Keegan Phillips from a loose ball following Jamie Webber's free-kick, but Onyango saved.

Masandawana retained momentum inside 21 minutes after Neo Maema whizzed through the area to get a shot away but he was thwarted by Pule.

However, the Brazilians had their stall and subsequent approach disrupted eight minutes later as Thabiso Kutumela succumbed to an injury and saw Gaston Sirino introduced.

Scroll through the gallery to see where the last 10 PSL Golden Boot winners are now

2020/21: Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United, 16 goals) – still at SuperSport United

2019/20: Peter Shalulile (Highlands Park) & Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates, 16 goals each) – Shaulile is now at Mamelodi Sundowns while Mhango is still with Pirates

2018/19: Mwape Musonda (Black Leopards, 16 goals) – now at Swallows FC

2017/18: Percy Tau (Mamelodi Sundowns) & Rodney Ramagalela (Polokwane City, 11 goals each) – Tau is now at Al Ahly while Ramagalela is at Chippa United

2016/17: Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City, 13 goals) – now at Kaizer Chiefs

2015/16: Collins Mbesuma (Mpumalanga Black Aces, 14 goals) – now at Pretoria Callies

2014/15: Moeketsi Sekola (Free State Stars, 14 goals) – back at Free State Stars

2013/14: Bernard Parker (Kaizer Chiefs, 10 goals) – still at Kaizer Chiefs

2012/13: Katlego Mashego (Moroka Swallows, 13 goals) – retired, most recently "assisting" at Tshwane South College

2011/12: Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows, 20 goals) – retired, assistant coach at AmaZulu

Scroll through the gallery to see where the last 10 winners of the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award are now

Waiswa was at the end of another opening for the host over ten minutes following the restart as his delivery into the area saw Thamsanqa Gabuza head over the top.

Sundowns struggled to suppress Waiswa's deliveries near the latter exchanges as the Ugandan launched another ball for Gabuza to take aim, but Onyango made a firm stop.

Masandawana began to re-take control minutes later and saw Shalulile work Pule to a fine stop from close-range before Zwane had a shot from smart combination play cleared off the line.

In the end, the Brazilians were left to yet another win in the Premiership and remained unbeaten too, while SuperSport lost further ground on the top three.

Confirmed line-ups:

SuperSport: Pule, Nhlapo, Johannes, Ditlhokwe, Bhasera, Philips, Waiswa, Webber, Rayners, Lungu, Gabuza.

Subs: Khoza, Fleurs, Moralo, Rasebotja, Matodzi,  Kurata,  Appollis.

Sundowns: Onyango, De Reuck, Coetzee, Lakay, Morena, Kekana, Kutumela, Mkhulise, Maema, Zwane, Shalulile.

Subs: Mweene, Nascimento,  Lunga, Mvala, Kapinga, Erasmus, Safranko,  Sirino, Vilakazi.