Mamelodi Sundowns hit five to maintain unbeaten Betway Premiership start

Mamelodi Sundowns produced a ruthless attacking display to beat AmaZulu 5-2 at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, although defensive errors remained a concern for coach Miguel Cardoso.

The result keeps Sundowns unbeaten in the Betway Premiership and moves them level with Orlando Pirates at the top of the table on 10 points. Sundowns are aiming to dethrone Pirates this season.

Cardoso will now have to address his side’s defensive weaknesses before Sunday afternoon, when Sundowns face Golden Arrows in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final. They trail 1-0 from the first match and will need both clinical finishing and a clean sheet to progress.

For AmaZulu boss Arthur Zwane, the heavy defeat will be particularly frustrating. Sundowns offered their opponents opportunities, but lapses in concentration and poor organisation at the back left AmaZulu exposed during a difficult early-season contest.

Sundowns are not yet operating at full consistency, but their attacking potential was on display as they took a 2-0 lead into half-time and ultimately overwhelmed AmaZulu. Once Cardoso’s side found their rhythm, their finishing proved too sharp for Usuthu to contain.

Cardoso made two notable selections for the match. Teboho Mokoena returned after recovering from the injury he suffered in the opening game of the season, while Cassius Mailula made his first start since returning to the club during pre-season.

Sundowns controlled possession comfortably and were more effective when the ball changed hands. AmaZulu struggled to build an attacking threat through Athini Maqokolo and Thulani Ngwenya, while Mailula found useful pockets of space between the lines.

His movement played a key role in the opening goal. Brayan Leon shaped as if he would pass to Mailula, creating room for his team-mate to shoot. Mailula’s effort took a deflection and fell back to Leon, who finished with a half-volley beyond Faveur Kouassi before celebrating by pointing towards the sky.

Mokoena doubled the advantage soon afterwards with a powerful free-kick from outside the penalty area which flew into the top corner. He marked his return to the starting line-up with the same celebration.

Zwane reacted before the interval, replacing Siphamandla Zikhali and Liam Bern with Siyanda Hlangabeza and Omega Mdaka five minutes before the break. Langelihle Mhlongo was then introduced at half-time as AmaZulu looked for a way back into the game.

The changes had an immediate impact. Riaan Hanamub delivered a low cross behind the Sundowns defence, and a weak clearance from Malibongwe Khoza struck Ngwenya before rolling past Ronwen Williams.

Sundowns restored their two-goal cushion almost immediately. Kouassi pushed away a shot, but the follow-up clearance fell to Tashreeq Matthews, who calmly finished into an unguarded net and performed the game’s trademark skyward celebration.

Thapelo Morena later underlined his ability to deputise for the injured Khuliso Mudau with an accurate diagonal pass to Matthews. The forward turned and hit the post, then recovered the rebound before laying the ball off for Leon, who side-footed in his second of the match and third league goal of the season. Leon repeated the celebration.

AmaZulu were not finished, however, and Sundowns’ defensive frailties surfaced again. Williams miskicked, allowing the ball to fall to Ngwenya, who scored from an awkward angle to reduce the deficit once more.

As AmaZulu pushed forward in search of another goal, gaps appeared in their structure. Sundowns exploited the space late on, with substitute Bennet Mokoena adding a fifth to complete a convincing victory.

AmaZulu’s Nkosikhona Radebe and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Themba Zwane contest the ball during their Betway Premiership match. Image: Itumeleng English/ANA Studio