Mamelodi Sundowns soar to the top of the Premiership table after routing 10-man Magesi
Betway Premiership
Iqraam Rayners’ clinical finishing in the second half secured Sundowns’ commanding win over Magesi. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Hosts Mamelodi Sundowns soared to the top of the Betway Premiership standings after defeating 10-man Magesi FC 3-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday.
Before the match, Sundowns, with 11 points, occupied third place on the log, two points behind joint leaders Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs with 13 points. With this latest win, Sundowns, now on 14 points, are one point clear at the summit.
Despite being overwhelming favourites against winless Magesi, Sundowns initially had to contend with early pressure. Magesi striker Wonderboy Makhubu sprinted clear down the left flank before unleashing a low drive from an acute angle. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced remarkable reflexes to deny Makhubu.
Several half-chances went begging before Sundowns opened their account, albeit in fortuitous fashion, midway through the first half.
Midfielder Thapelo Morena made an unmarked run into the firing line to blast an inviting goalmouth cross and miscued his effort. However, fellow midfielder Kutlwano Letlhaku was alert to the mishap and darted in to slip the ball past Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze.
Recently, the 19-year-old Letlhaku submitted a transfer request to pursue a career in Europe, but nothing has materialised so far.
As the first half progressed, Sundowns began to dominate but were unable to add to Letlhaku's score. Disastrously for Magesi, the first half took a turn for the worse when Samuel Darpoh was red-carded for a reckless challenge on Brazilian midfielder Arthur Sales, reducing his team to 10 men just four minutes shy of the break.
Sundowns continued to exert pressure in the second half, and it paid off just past the hour mark. Morena was again the provider, and Iqraam Rayners capitalised after Magesi were guilty of ball-watching.
Magesi’s defence was caught napping again a few minutes later when they failed to handle Aubrey Modiba's cross from a free kick. The unmarked Rayners nodded the ball past Chipezeze to give Sundowns a match-winning 3-0 lead.