NEW signings Peter Shalulile and Kermit Erasmus starred in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Willard Katsande, Lebogang Manyama and Leonardo Castro came back in to the Chiefs’ starting line-up, while Kermit Erasmus, Andile Jali, Lyle Lakay and Thapelo Morena started for Sundowns.
Chiefs had the first attempt of the match in the third minute. Reeve Frosler played the ball over the top down the inside right channel for Khama Billiat, who ran on to it before unleashing a volley powerfully at goal, which Sundowns keeper Denis Onyango had to tip over the bar.
Downs had their first attempt in the 17th minute. Ramahlwe Mphahlele brought down Themba Zwane down on the edge of the box and Rivaldo Coetzee floated the free-kick in to the box which Motjeka Madisha headed narrowly wide.
Amakhosi shot-stopper Itumeleng Khune made another mistake in the 37th minute which this time Sundowns did capitalise on. Coetzee swung in the corner and Khune came off his line but failed to make contact with the flap as 2019/2020 PSL joint top-goalscorer Shalulile headed past the Chiefs defenders on the goal-line.
Four minutes after the interval, Billiat got to the byline on the left-hand side and cut the ball back into the box for Cardoso, but Coetzee made a brilliant block to deny the Colombian forward.
The Brazilians doubled their lead through their other new striker Erasmus. The former SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City striker played the ball through for Zwane and Khune got their first but his clearance found its way to Erasmus, who rifled the ball clinically into the bottom left corner.
Chiefs tried to respond with a set-piece in the 58th minute but Castro headed over Manyama’s free-kick. Sundowns came close from a free-kick of their own when Shalulile managed to get his outstretched leg on to the end of Lakay’s set-piece but it was straight at a relieved Khune.
Zwane then found himself through on goal with a chance to finish off the game but he dallied on the ball too long and Cardoso was able to get back and make a superb last-ditch tackle.
Matters went from bad to worse for Khune and Chiefs after Maluleka was played in on goal by Zwane before trying to round the keeper and being brought down in the process. And Zwane stepped up to send Khune the wrong way and seal an emphatic win from the penalty spot.
(SOURCE: KICKOFF)
