Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns registered a 5-0 win over Maritzburg United in Rulani Mokwena’s first official game as head coach at Harry Gwala stadium on Tuesday Night.
Manqoba Mngqithi was demoted to the Senior Coach on Monday, with Steve Komphela, who was holding that role, promoted to First Team Coach, with Mokwena now the club Head Coach.
This after Sundowns were crushed 3-0 by Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final second leg at Peter Mokaba Stadium over the weekend.
The Team of Choice were on the back foot from the opening whistle. At the end of the first half, the match was already decided as a contest since Sundowns held a commanding 3-0 lead.
The goalscorers were Haashim Domingo (26th minute), Thapelo Morena (29) and Cassius Mailula who was enjoying his first appearance in a starting XI this season.
In the second half, Sundowns continued to enjoy a vice-like grip on the match and created loads of scoring opportunities. However, only Domingo (67) and Mailula (76) managed to add to the score.
This thumping victory over Maritzburg sees Sundowns end their winless streak in Pietermaritzburg since September 2019.
Sundowns also extended their lead at the top of the standing to 25 points after 11 matches, three ahead of second-placed Richards Bay with a game in hand.
Meanwhile Chippa United’s record-breaking four-match winning streak ended abruptly at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night when hosts Cape Town City ran out 2-1 victors in their DStv Premiership fixture.