Tashreeq Matthews celebrates his goal in Mamelodi Sundowns' 3-0 victory over Polokwane City at Loftus Versveld on Sunday.
Image: BackpagePix
Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns rediscovered their scoring touch, cruising past Polokwane City 3-0 to entrench their position at the summit of the Betway Premiership table at a sunlit Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
Sundowns now lead second-placed Orlando Pirates by five points, although the Buccaneers have a game in hand.
Miguel Cardoso’s team has been grinding out results recently, having not won by a margin of more than a single goal since their 4-1 victory over Chippa United exactly a month ago. However, the CAF Champions League finalists were back to their free-scoring selves with a dominant display in the return fixture against Rise and Shine.
Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring in the first half before Tashreeq Matthews and Nuno Santos added second-half strikes, giving the rousing Masandawana faithful all the belief that a record 17th Betway Premiership title will return to Chloorkop this season.
Back in the starting XI after missing the midweek clash against Rise and Shine, Matthews produced a stunning strike from the edge of the box. The former Borussia Dortmund Reserves star dropped his shoulder before unleashing a curling shot that gave Lindokuhle Mathebula in the Polokwane City goal no chance as it nestled in the back of the net.
The winger’s solo effort doubled Sundowns’ lead after Rayners’ 12th goal of the season had put the home side ahead in the first half.
Bafana Bafana striker Rayners, who is now just one goal off the pace of Golden Arrows’ ace striker Sede Dion, left his marker Mpho Mvundlela behind to comfortably head home a Teboho Mokoena cross from the left flank in the 33rd minute.
It was a just reward for the home side, which utilized the width of the Loftus pitch throughout. This was especially evident in the first half, with Mokoena, Thapelo Morena, and Aubrey Modiba whipping in crosses with regularity. This approach left the Polokwane City central pairing of Mvundlela and Edwin Ramaja all at sea, as they often left a yellow shirt unmarked in the six-yard area.
Rayners had an earlier opportunity to open the scoring in an almost carbon copy of his goal, but on that occasion, he directed his header straight into the arms of Mathebula. Jayden Adams also had a headed chance in the first half when he joined the attack from midfield, as Sundowns maintained their aerial dominance.
The visitors enjoyed a brief moment of respite in the second half when referee Abongile Tom pointed to the spot after an infringement in the Sundowns' penalty box. However, for the second time in successive matches between these sides—after Lebo Mothiba missed for Sundowns at the Seshego Stadium last Wednesday—the penalty chance went begging.
Long-serving Polokwane City captain Puleng Marema suffered the embarrassment of slipping just as he was about to make contact with the ball. He could only look on from the ground as his shot went sailing over Ronwen Williams’ crossbar.
Marema’s missed penalty was a game-changer. Having suffered a fright, Sundowns raised their intensity and gameplay to create numerous more chances before Portuguese star Nuno Santos delivered the knockout blow with five minutes remaining.
Mamelodi Sundowns: 3 (33’ Rayners, 56' Matthews, 85' Santos)
Polokwane City: 0