Mamelodi Sundown extended their lead at the top of the DStv Premiership to 20 points by hammering Royal AM 5-1 at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 15 March.
The Tshwane giants’ machine continues to roll on as the Royal AM win stretches their unbeaten run to 19 matches in all competitions.
It was the second game in a row that Sundowns score five goals as they came into the league clash on the back of a 5-2 thrashing of Egyptian giants Al Ahly 5-2 in a CAF Champions League group stage clash at the weekend.
As much as they had a great game, Sundowns’ start was not ideal as they were dealt a big blow early in the first half.
Grant Kekana was stretched off in the 8th minute after colliding with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Kekana was replace by Brian Onyango.
With Sundowns unsettled by Kekana’s injury, Royal AM came close to finding an opening goal of the match in the 19th minute when Shaun Mogaila played an inviting cross to Sedwyn George who hit his shot against the upright.
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TURN THE HEAT UP
Sundowns turned defence into attack and opened the scoring through in-form Cassius Mailula just after the 20-minute mark.
The Chloorkop-based side kept piling the pressure and forced an own goal out of Royal AM.
Ricardo Nascimento turned into a villain against his former club after scoring in his own net 22 minutes into the game
The flood gates opened as Sundowns found the third goal through Peter Shalulile in the 41st minute.
And shortly after, referee Christopher Kistoor blew the half-time whistle with Sundowns comfortably leading 3-0 against Royal AM.
Rulani Mokwena’s troops continued where they left off in the first half. Shalulile bagged his brace to make it 4-0 for Sundowns early in the second stanza.
ROYAL AM FIND A CONSOLATION GOAL
Thwihli Thwahla pulled one back after Lantshene Phalane unleashed a powerful strike outside the box to beat Williams.
However, Sundowns were not done with the scoring. Mothobi Mvala met a Aubrey Modiba’s well-placed corner kick to score with a powerful header.
The victory took Sundowns to 59 points tally. They are 20 points clear of second-placed SuperSport United at the summit of the log standings.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City and Marumo Gallants played out to an entertaining 2-2 draw at Cape Town Stadium.
Khanyisa Mayo scored a brace for CT City, with Lesiba Nku and Ranga Chivaviro netting for Gallants.
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