Lucas Ribeiro converted from the penalty spot as Mamelodi Sundowns stretched their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership table after a 1-0 victory at Cape Town Spurs.
The win means Masandawana remain unbeaten after 20 league matches and are now 13 points clear with 10 matches remaining in the DStv Premiership.
The controversial decision came five minutes before the half-time break when the visitors were awarded a spot-kick by referee Thabo Mkhabela even though Peter Shalulile appeared to have been fouled just outside the box.
Instead of awarding a free-kick, Mkhabela pointed to the spot to give Lucas Riberio a chance to fire in his 11th league goal of the season.
Spurs head coach Ernst Middendorp was livid at the decision and angrily confronted the officials as the players were leaving the field for the half-time break.
The home side, clearly feeling a sense of injustice, were fired up after the interval and gave a much better account of themselves as they looked to get back in the contest.
Spurs were unlucky not to snatch a share of the spoils in the dying stages when striker Ashley Cupido came close to beating Ronwen Williams off Keagan Buchanan’s corner but his shot hit the upright.
In the end, though Sundowns hung on for the three points and are still on course to become the first team in PSL history to go an entire league season unbeaten.
The points are coming home with Bafana Ba Style! 👆
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 9, 2024
Cape Town Spurs 0⃣➖1⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (42' Ribeiro)#Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/CpY5JEg20y
