Marumo Gallants 0-4 Mamelodi Sundowns: Unstoppable Masandawana go five points clear
Mkhulise marked his return to the starting line-up with a superb display in midfield as the Brazilians hammered Bahlabane Ba Ntwa
Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten record in the current PSL campaign when they thumped a hapless Marumo Gallants side a 4-0 victory on Sunday night.
Peter Shalulile (brace), Pavol Safranko and Zwane all scored at Peter Mokaba Stadium as the Tshwane giants extended their unbeaten run on the road to 22 matches in the domestic league.
Sphelele Mkhulise was the new man in the Downs starting line-up with co-head coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena making one change to the team which faced and defeated Maritzburg United 1-0 on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka made no changes to the team which started against AmaZulu FC on Thursday with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa looking to secure their first victory of the season in the league.
However, Gallants were dominated by Sundowns from the start with Pavol Safranko looking lively for the away side and he was involved when the deadlock was broken six minutes before the half-hour mark.
The Slovakian hitman went wide and played a low pass for Peter Shalulile, who then set-up Themba Zwane and the two-time PSL Midfielder of the Season curled the ball into the top left corner to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead.
Masandawana should have been 2-0 up a few minutes later after Safranko had played a low cross for Neo Maema, who hit the upright with goalkeeper Washington Arubi rooted to the ground with his defence exposed.
Mdaka responded by making a double substitution as he introduced Celimpilo Ngema and Siphelele Ntshangase, but Sundowns stood firm at the back and they were leading 1-0 during the half-time break.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa came out rejuvenated following their half-time team talk with Mdaka. Sundowns keeper Reyaad Pieterse was called into action for the first time on the hour-mark and he gather Sibusiso Kumalo’s effort with ease.
Maema was a constant threat to the Gallants defence on the night and he grabbed a well-deserved assist when he set up Shalulile, who beat Arubi from close range to hand Sundowns a 2-0 lead with 12 minutes left.
The left-footed playmaker was involved when Sundowns extended their lead to 3-0 in the 87th minute as his shot was parried into Safranko’s path and the lanky marksman pounced from close range and hit the back of the net.
The reigning PSL champions were not yet done. Zwane’s delightful cross was headed home by free-scoring Shalulile to complete his brace and also seal Sundowns’ emphatic 4-0 win in the last minute of the game and it was his eighth league goal of the season.
The victory saw Sundowns open a five-point lead at the top of the league standings and they will now take on Cape Town City on November 20, while Gallants, who are scheduled to face SuperSport United on November 20, remained 16th on the log.
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