Mamelodi Sundowns extend unbeaten home run with five-goal win over AmaZulu

Mamelodi Sundowns responded to Orlando Pirates’ early-season challenge by extending their Premier Soccer League record to 32 consecutive unbeaten league matches at Loftus Versfeld with a 5-2 victory over AmaZulu.

The Betway Premiership champions produced a dominant attacking display in Tshwane on Wednesday, although two defensive lapses allowed AmaZulu forward Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya to score twice.

Sundowns had needed a strong result after Orlando Pirates moved on to 10 points and remained unbeaten after four league matches with a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.

They delivered an emphatic response on home soil, where their remarkable league run now stretches to 32 games without defeat.

The hosts opened the scoring in impressive fashion when Brayan Leon met the ball with a crisp volley to put Sundowns ahead.

Teboho Mokoena then doubled the advantage before half-time with a superb free-kick, giving the home side a commanding lead and putting them in control of the contest.

AmaZulu reduced the deficit just seconds after the restart through Ngwenya, who continued his outstanding start to the campaign. The Zimbabwe international has now scored in all five of AmaZulu’s matches this season in all competitions, with seven goals in total.

However, Sundowns quickly re-established their authority. Tashreeq Matthews restored the two-goal cushion before Brayan Leon struck again moments later.

The second goal for Leon came after the forward was picked out by the pace of winger Matthews, allowing him to complete a straightforward finish and make it 4-1.

AmaZulu refused to go quietly, and Ngwenya completed his brace after 70 minutes. The striker benefited from a mistake by Ronwen Williams, who had moved too far outside his penalty area and was punished for the error.

Sundowns had the final say, with youngster Bennet Mokoena adding a fifth goal to complete a convincing home win.

The result will please Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso, particularly with the return of influential midfielder Teboho Mokoena ahead of Sunday’s second-leg MTN8 semi-final against Golden Arrows.

Sundowns will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in that tie after Golden Arrows won the opening leg at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium this past weekend.

For AmaZulu, the defeat ended an otherwise encouraging evening in which Ngwenya again underlined his goalscoring potential. At 23, the Zimbabwe international has already become one of the standout performers of the early season, having found the net in every match his side have played so far.

Sundowns’ five-goal performance nevertheless ensured they took all three points and maintained their record-breaking home league unbeaten run.