Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead at the summit to 18 points after walloping Orlando Pirates 4-1 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday evening.
Sundowns made only one change to the side that beat Baroka, as Ricardo Nascimento replaced the suspended Kermit Erasmus while Pirates recalled Ben Motshwari, Goodman Mosele and Ntsako Makhubela.
The Brazilians looked to settle first after a ball in from the left-side by Lyle Lakay saw Thapelo Morena side-foot over target from the back-post of the area.
However, the Buccaneers responded to the threat moments apart when Deon Hotto flashed a left-footed strike from the near side wide after stepping into a pass from Thembinkosi Lorch.
The sides entered the half-time break all square at 0-0 but the Buccaneers defense soon turned sloppy as Sundowns attacked.
Following a set piece, an assist by Lakay reaches the boot of Themba Zwane, who made no mistake in tapping the ball into the net.
Pavol Safranko headed a high-ball thanks to a cross by Lakay from the corner and then 10 minutes later, scored again, as he left-footed from the left side of the box to the centre of the goal.
It got even worse for the Buccaneers in the 76th minute when Peter Shalulile’s header sealed the emphatic victory for Sundowns.
However, Pirates scored a consolation goal through the boot of Fortune Makaringe with a strike from outside the box,but it proved little as the night belonged to Sundowns.
Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches and will play AmaZulu on Monday at Kings Park.
Meanwhile AmaZulu FC secured a 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.
The win took Usuthu to fourth place on the league standings after claiming a victory courtesy of Thembela Sikhakhane’s late goal, while Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remained 11th on the long.