Sundowns thrash AmaZulu in Durban

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Mar 02, 2018. 20:24

Mamelodi Sundowns beat AmaZulu FC 3-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Friday night.

The win saw the Brazilians extend their lead at the top of the league table, while Usuthu remained 10th on the standings.

Usuthu were able to contain the Brazilians, who did most of the attacking in the early stages of the encounter.

However, the hosts grew in confidence as the match progressed, but the likes of Mhlengi Cele and Mabhuti Khenyeza were unable to convert Usuthu's chances.

Sundowns were then awarded a penalty after AmaZulu defender Sadate Ouro-Akoriko was adjudged to have fouled Percy Tau inside the box in the 21st minute.

Usuthu goalkeeper Boalefa Pule was beaten by Ricardo Nascimento from the spot-kick to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.

However, AmaZulu continued to launch attacks and they were awarded an indirect free-kick nine minutes before the half-time break.

Parity was restored by Mhlengi Cele, who beat Sundowns goalkeeper Razak Brimah from the indirect free-kick to make it 1-1 for Usuthu.

Both teams launched attacks in search of more goals with the half-time fast approaching.

However, AmaZulu and Sundowns were locked at 1-1 during the break.

The second-half was slightly dominated by Sundowns, who scored through Sibusiso Vilakazi in the 48th minute.

The momentum was the Brazilians with the Tshwane side leading 2-1, and they extended their lead on the hour-mark.

It was Vilakazi once again, who scored for the visitors. The attacker pounced onto a rebound and he beat Pule to make it 3-1 to Sundowns.

Usuthu did attack in numbers as they looked to pull one back, but they could not beat Brimah in the latter stages of the game.

The match ended in a 3-1 win in favour of Sundowns, who managed to contain AmaZulu in the dying minutes.

AmaZulu (1) 1 (Cele 36')
Sundowns (1) 3 (Nascimento 24', Vilakazi 48, 60')

AmaZulu: Pule, Mabiliso, Gumede, Gumede P, Ouro-Akoriko (Karuru 70'), Darpoh (Ncobeni 36'), Mnguni, Morton, Cele, Nomvethe (Lumkwana 53'), Khenyeza.

Sundowns: Brimah, Langerman, Morena, Arendse, Nascimento (Madisha 61'), Mabunda, Vilakazi (Lebese 85'), Kekana, Sirino, Zwane (Ngcongca 89'), Tau.