A second half onslaught saw Mamelodi Sundowns run out 4-1 winners against Orlando Pirates, while AmaZulu beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 in Friday night’s DStv Premiership action.
It made it five wins out of five for Sundowns over Pirates in the calendar year.
Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Orlando Pirates
Sundowns ran rampant in the second half at Loftus Stadium on Friday night, as they beat Pirates 4-0, with all the goals coming after half time..
It was a fast pace to the start of the game, and Thapelo Morena’s first time volley at the far post to a Lyle Lakay cross in the third minute, went just over the goal. Two minutes later Deon Hotto had a chance for Pirates, but shot across the goal and wide.
Rushine De Reuck’s header in the 12th minute was too high, while a goal mouth flurry in the 17th minute saw almost caused problems for Pirates.
Paseka Mako went high and wide in the 24th minute, while Peter Shalulile went just wide in the 36th minute.
Sundowns were dealt a blow just before half-time, as Grant Kekana had to go off injured with a knee injury, and was replaced by Pavol Safranko. Goalless at the break.
Themba Zwane put Sundowns into the lead in the 50th minute, scoring his fiftieth career goal for the club. A simple goal as he tapped in Shalulile’s header across the goal.
Victor Gomes waved away Sundowns’ calls for a penalty in the 56th minute, during a ten minute period of end-to-end action, but they weren’t to be denied from a corner on the hour mark as Safranko rose above a crowded box to head in the second.
Safranko almost had another in the 65th minute, but Siyabonga Mpontshane got down well to make the save. Kwame Peprah had a good chance for Pirates two minutes later, but the Ghanaian’s header went just wide of Denis Onyango’s goal.
Safranko had in his second in the 72nd minute as he followed up to score after Shalulile was brought down Mpontshane and knocked the ball into the Slovakian’s path. Had Safranko not scored it is likely Gomes would have awarded a penalty.
Two minutes later Mpontshane saved another Shalulile effort as the rampant Sundowns looked to increase the league. But Shalulile was not going to be denied in the 76th minute as he headed in from a free kick.
Fortune Makaringe scored a good consolation goal in stoppage time.
Sundowns now go 18 points clear at the top of the league.
Marumo Gallants 0-1 AmaZulu
AmaZulu scored late to beat Marumo Gallants 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium earlier in the evening.
It was a fairly even first half, with the home side perhaps having the slight edge. However neither side could get on the scoresheet and it was goalless at halftime.
It looked to be heading for another draw, until Thembela Sikhakhane found himself at the end of a Keagan Buchanan free kick in the 87th minute, and the Usuthu defender headed in past Washington Arubi.
Benni McCarthy’s team were able to then hold on and pick up an important three points to move fourth. It was their first win in eight games, with their previous seven ending in draws. Meanwhile it was Gallants first defeat with Dan Malesela on the bench.
