Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Maritzburg United 5-0 on Tuesday night at Harry Gwala Stadium in DStv Premiership action. It was the greatest conceivable way for the defending champions to demonstrate their desire to retain their crown following a dismal weekend at home.
In the opening minutes of the first half, when Bafana Ba Style attempted to seize control of the match, Haashim Domingo posed the first threat for Sundowns. Domingo chipped the ball over the defenders, but his teammates were not in position to capitalize on the opportunity.
The Tshwane giants continued to drive forward with determination and ferocity, causing the defenders to commit fouls due to their inability to keep up with the pressure.
Maritzburg attempted to open the score with an in-swinging corner kick, which prompted Downs goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to make an acrobatic save. Williams produced an excellent stop and set up a counterattack for his squad.
As the game approached 20 minutes of open play, Neo Maema chose his pass to Cassius Mailula, who found Domingo in the attacking third. The 27-year-old midfielder then launched a long-range effort that was just off target. Three minutes separated the goals by Thapelo Morena and Domingo. Mailula connected the ball from the middle of the field to the right side of the field to set up Morena. Team of Choice goalkeeper Anye Derick was unable to make a save as Morena crossed the ball into the area for Domingo, who scored on his first attempt.
Shortly after his spectacular assist, Morena scored Bafana Ba Style’s second goal, assisted by Maema’s ball in the 18-yard box. In the last few minutes before halftime, Masandawana dominated the field, winning every ball the opponent attempted to move forward and passing with little errors. Teboho Mokoena had the opportunity to send a cross towards the far post. Mailula got space in the box and stretched to connect his effort, but Derick and the defenders were able to block it.
Sundowns continued to appear the more likely scorers in the opening exchanges, and Mailula scored shortly thereafter after applying pressure to the final line of defense. Mailula scored his first DStv Premiership goal when he pounced on a superbly placed cross from Morena that went directly through the box and beat the goalkeeper. The Brazilians entered halftime with a three-goal advantage.
Mothobi Mvala and Bradley Ralani replaced Rushine De Reuck and Sphelele Mkhulisa shortly after the resumption of play, as Sundowns maintained their intensity in the second half. In the second half, Downs continued to bombard the defense with relentless attempts and came close to extending their lead.
Tumelo Njoti’s attempt to score for the home team hit the side of the goal, despite Van der Ross’s battle with Mosa Lebusa, which was encouraging for the home side. The fourth goal was another well-executed goal, scored by Domingo with an assist from Morena.
Mailula completes his hat trick; after receiving a pass from Ralani, the midfielder sensed the opposing defenders and scored Masandawana’s final goal.
This is how we lined up: R. Williams, T. Morena, R. De Reuck (57′ Mvala), M. Lebusa © (80′ Mudau), G. Kekana, T. Mokoena (80′ Jali), S. Mkhulise (57′ Ralani), N. Maema, H. Domingo, C. Mailula, M. Allende (70′ Maboe).
Subs: D. Onyango, L. Kapinga, T. Zwane, A. Jali, L. Maboe, M. Mvala, G. Sirino, K. Mudau, B. Ralani.