Mamelodi Sundowns secured their seventh consecutive DStv Premiership title with a 5-1 win over 10-man Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Thursday evening.
Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena opted to rest several key players ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final against Stellenbosch this weekend.
But knowing that they could secure the league with six games to spare, at their arch rivals home turf this evening, there was plenty to play for.
The first half was entertaining, packed with some match defining moments, with Chiefs showing intensity and attacking intent early on, Neo Maema getting away with the yellow card for a studs up challenge on Edson Castillo and then a red card for Chiefs.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa appeared to be running clear through on goal, and in what looked like an obstruction from a Sundowns player was not punished, Given Msimango lunged at the livewire Brazilian and received a straight sending off.
Chiefs managed to hold their composure and offer Sundowns plenty to think about, but it was all undone in the second half when Tashreeq Matthews and Matias Esquivel scored two goals in quick succession to secure the three points required to win the title.
Chiefs pulled one back from the penalty spot via Mduduzi Shabalala, who had been brought down inside the box in the 85th minute.
But Sundowns were not done and scored two more via Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch in the 90th and 94th minute.
Sundowns are now 48 games unbeaten in the league, and six games unbeaten against Chiefs in all competitions.
The result means second placed Stellenbosch on 49 points, can’t better the 62 points Masandawana have amassed in their remaining four league fixtures.
It also marks Rulani Mokwena’s second league title as sole head coach of the club, added to the African Football League won earlier this season.
A chance of a treble remains on the cards as they face the in-form Stellies on Sunday at Danie Craven for a place in the final of the domestic cup.
For Chiefs, who are in eighth place, it ends their hopes of finishing in a position for CAF inter-club football – further compounding another miserable trophyless campaign for the Soweto giants.
