Mamelodi Sundowns extended their winning run to seven games with a 1-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in an Absa Premiership encounter at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Surprise Moriri’s first half-strike see’s the Brazilians leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs and into top spot after the Amakhosi lost 1-0 to Mpumalanga Black Aces.

‘Downs mentor Pitso Mosimane made three enforced changes to his starting XI while Ernst Middendorp made no fewer than four changes to the side that beat Platinum Stars 1-0 at the weekend.

Khama Billiat returned to the starting eleven for the first time since the end of February while Thabo Nthethe missed out against his former side.

Lerato Lamola was rewarded for his contribution off the bench against Dikwena while Mogogi Gabonamong returned after serving a one-game suspension.

Khama Billait and Clayton Daniels went close at either side if the park in the early exchanges before Surprise Moriri opened the scoring in the 24th minute.

Moriri, who has been in great goal scoring nick of late nodded in Teko Modise’s precise free-kick after Anthony Laffor was awarded a contentious free-kick on the right flank.

Siwelele were awarded a procession of corner-kicks around the half-hour mark but the Brazilians defence held firm.

To their credit, the visitors saw more of the ball as the half went on, but the hosts always looked dangerous on the counter.

A 1-0 lead for ‘Downs at the break was probably a fair reflection of the first stanza.

Middendorp brought on Gabadinho Mhango after the interval as he looked to preserve his side’s unbeaten record in the league which stretched to seven matches over the weekend.

The Malawian proved an instant threat and went close 10 minutes into the second half

A long ball forward found the lively attacker who in turn out sprinted Alje Schut, but he could only manage to drag his resulting effort wide of Kennedy Mweene’s left hand upright.

Bongani Zungu went close to doubling the hosts lead on the hour mark from a Modise corner-kick.

The former AmaTuks midfielder beat his marker to the near post, but he could only manage to glance his effort wide of goal.

Celtic’s best chance of the half fell to Joel Mogorsi on the cusp of second half stoppage time.

The Botswana national player beat Mweene to a looping ball, but his effort only managed to go agonisingly wide of the right hand post.

‘Downs held on to end the night at the summit of the Absa Premiership log.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 1 (Moriri 24’)

Bloemfontein Celtic (0) 0

Teams:

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene; Langerman, Schut, Sumaila, Mphahlele, Modise (Nyandoro 75’), Zungu, Billiat (Malajila 84’), Mokoena, Moriri (Ramagalela 65’), Laffor

Bloemfontein Celtic: Tignyemb, Ndengane, Bilankulu, Daniels, Nkausu, Mogapi,Gabonamong (Mhango 46’), Mahoa (Ntanga 79’), Buchanan, Lamola, Mogorosi