Sundowns breeze past Gallants to go level with Pirates and Chiefs
· The South African
Malibongwe Khoza opened the scoring for Sundowns in the first half. Cassius Mailula doubled the lead after the break as Kabo Yellow secured another three points.
The result lifted the African champions to third place with seven points, level with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in first and second place respectively.
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MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TAKE CONTROL
Sundowns started with a high tempo and immediately pushed Gallants into a deep defensive block. Fawaaz Basadien came close in the fourth minute, but Emile Lako made an important save to deny his effort.
Bathusi Aubaas then tried his luck from distance before Brayan Leon produced a spectacular bicycle kick that went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. Gallants created their first dangerous opportunity in the 16th minute, but Ronwen Williams was equal to Katlego Otladisa’s effort.
The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute. Khoza reacted quickest to a loose ball after a corner and smashed a powerful volley past Lako to make it 1-0.
Bennet Mokoena almost doubled the advantage soon after, but Lako produced another big save to keep Gallants in the game. The visitors responded through Mlungisi Sikhakhane, whose diving header was brilliantly denied by Williams.
Khuliso Mudau was forced off through injury in the 37th minute, with Zuko Mdunyelwa taking his place. Kabo Yellow went into the break leading 1-0.
KABO YELLOW FINISH THE JOB
Sundowns continued to dominate after the restart and nearly doubled their advantage when Mailula saw his effort denied by Khumbulani Ncube after Lako had been beaten.
Head coach Miguel Cardoso made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute, sending on Modiba, Ndlovu and Zwane for Basadien, Mokoena and Matthews.
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The changes paid off six minutes later. Mailula produced a superb finish from the edge of the box, giving Lako no chance and putting Sundowns 2-0 ahead.
Zwane had a golden opportunity to add a third in the 71st minute but miss-kicked with the goalkeeper to beat. Sundowns then took complete control of possession as Gallants struggled to create another opening.
Ndlovu tested Lako in the 87th minute, but the goalkeeper made another save. After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the final whistle.