Brayan Leon and Gamphani Lungu scored three times on opposite ends each as Mamelodi Sundowns placed one hand on the Betway Premiership title with a 7-4 victory over Siwelele FC in this 11-goal thriller at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Colombian found the back of the target once in the first half before scoring twice in the second stanza and also provided an assist to give Sundowns a comfortable victory. Crucially, it was a convincing win that helped Masandawana almost assure themselves of a ninth successive PSL title with one game to go.
They remain at the top of the standings while Siwelele did not move in position nine. However, second-placed Orlando Pirates, with two games in hand, are also still within a chance of snatching the league crown on the last day of the season, which, for now, delays Sundowns’ celebrations.
Pumping in seven goals past Siwelele goalkeeper Ricardo Goss was a statement of intent by Sundowns in this final title push. But conceding four could be a blemish that might haunt them in terms of goal difference, should they go tied on points with Pirates on the last day of the season.
The goals galore at Lucas Moripe became the highest scoring match in the history of the PSL, overshadowing a 10-goal record which had stood since December 2012 when Platinum Stars beat Golden Arrows 6-4. It was also the first time since 1999 for Masandawana to run riot and go to the halftime break with five goals on the scoresheet.
From the team that started in midweek against Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso brought in Grant Kekana for the injured Keanu Cupido. Nuno Santos was entrusted to start in place of the benched captain Themba Zwane.
Amajita star Kutlwano Letlhaku started for the first time since February, when he stepped in for the suspended Jayden Adams.
On the opposite side, Siwelele coach Lehlohonolo Seema brought in Lazola Maku, Tebogo Potsane and Gape Moralo. Manelisi Mazibuko, Bohlale Ngwato and Sphesihle Jeza started from the bench.
MOKOENA OPENS THE FLOODGATES, MATTHEWS GRABS DOUBLE AMID HALF-A-DOZEN FIRST-HALF GOALS
Signs that it was going to be a high-scoring evening were there when Masandawana raced to a two-goal lead within the opening 10 minutes. Teboho Mokoena thrust the hosts ahead after seven minutes when he volleyed an attempt to clear danger from the visitors.
Tashreeq Matthews then headed in a Nuno Santos cross to double the advantage two minutes later. Sundowns’ relentless attacking drew some desperate attempts to defend by Siwelele, whose centre-back, Nyiko Mobbie, beat his own goalkeeper, Ricardo Goss, in the 24th minute.
However, seemingly feeling comfortable with their lead, Sundowns made a defensive error when Khulumani Ndamane was dispossessed by Jeza, who squared off for Lungu to easily finish and reduce arrears on the half-hour mark.
But Masandawana restored their three-goal lead when Matthews connected a Brayan Leon feed to seal his brace in the 37th minute. After some hard running, Leon finally registered his name on the scoresheet four minutes before halftime by doing justice to Letlhaku’s headed assist, handing Sundowns a healthy halftime lead.
GOALS DRAMA CONTINUES AS LEON & LUNGU COMPLETE HAT-TRICKS AFTER THE RESTART
Just five minutes into the second half, Lungu broke loose to beat Ronwen Williams for his second goal of the match. But just a minute later, Leon became the third player to score a brace in this game after heading in Santos’ fine delivery, which was his second of the evening.
Leon then fired in a rebound from Santos’ effort to confirm his hat-trick to go second on the scorers-chart with 12 goals and just one fewer than the leader, Junior Dion. The free scoring continued, and this time around it was from the other end where Relebogile Mokhuoane’s grounder gave Williams no chance.
Sundowns substitute Divine Lunga then conceded a penalty, which was converted by Lungu, who converted from the spot for his hat-trick.
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