Mamelodi Sundowns warmed up for their crunch league match against Kaizer Chiefs with a dominant 4-1 win over Marumo Gallants in a Betway Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld on Tuesday.
The win propelled Sundowns to the top of the standings, replacing Orlando Pirates at the summit after the Buccaneers had earlier in the day moved top after seeing off Polokwane City 3-0 at Orlando Stadium.
It was a bit of a cake walk for the defending champions, as they looked comfortable throughout against Gallants. It was only in the last 10 minutes, when the home team took their foot off the pedal, that the visitors started to bother Sundowns.
The win is a great confidence booster for Sundowns ahead of Saturday afternoon’s match against Chiefs (3pm kickoff).
Tashreeq hits the outside of the foot finish to give Masandawana an early lead ⚽🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) September 24, 2024
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc@Betway_za pic.twitter.com/C4i8ovVIFu
Head coach Manqoba Mngqithi will especially be happy about their performance in front of goal, as the team is starting to convert their chances after struggled in the MTN8.
After beating Mbabane Swallows 8-0 on aggregate to qualify for the group stages of the CAF Champions League, Sundowns followed up their 2-0 win over SuperSport United with the thrashing of Gallants.
On Tuesday, Sundowns went into the break 2-0 up after Tashreeq Matthews poked home from close range in the ninth minute.
Matthews then turned provider in the 34th minute when he found Iqraam Rayners at the far post with a lovely low cross. The off-season signing from Stellenbosch FC then buried the chance.
Lucas Ribeiro scored Sundowns’ third two minutes after the break, before another Heritage Day goalkeeper howler saw Sundowns go 4-0 up.
Mlambo feels the full force of the Sundowns high press 👀![CDATA[]]>👇
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc@Betway_za pic.twitter.com/38KgflOq2k
Sphelele Mkhulise scored after Gallants’ substitute goalkeeper Nicholas Mlambo overplayed right in front of his goal, allowing the Sundowns man to slot home unchallenged.
Gallants got a penalty in the 85th minute, but Gabadinho Mhango kicked his effort straight down the middle, which returning Sundowns goalkeeper gobbled up without any fuss.
However, Mhango would have the last say as he rather clumsily slotted the ball past Williams after a cross from the side side.
* In the final match on Tuesday, Royal AM and Richards Bay played to a goalless draw.
@JohnGoliath82