Mamelodi Sundowns defeated 10-men SuperSport United 3-1 in Wednesday’s Tshwane derby at Loftus Versfeld to wrap up the PSL title in some style.
Substitute Lebohang Maboe, Aubrey Modiba and the returning Themba Zwane all scored in a 12-minute first-half blitz as Sundowns cruised to the championship in style, while SSU, who lost Guily Cyprien Manziba to a seventh-minute red card but pulled one back through Teboho Mokoena, were largely outclassed.
Victory means that Sundowns become the first team ever to win the title on four consecutive occasions in the PSL era, while SSU still have a fight on their hands to secure a top three finish with two matches to play.
The hosts enjoyed 74 percent of the possession during a one-sided encounter and victory takes them up to 30 points, out of reach of AmaZulu, on 50 points with three games to play.
Downs’ emphatic triumph was a perfect riposte to their Caf Champions League exit at the hands of Al-Ahly and former mentor Pitso Mosimane, who had overseen their five league successes since 2014 before moving on to the Egyptian giants last year.
Wednesday’s victory extends Sundowns’ winning run in the PSL to four matches, with their 3-0 triumph against Orlando Pirates a major highlight as they romped to the gold yet again.
The triumph also extends the Brazilians’ fine run against SuperSport United this season; they defeated their rivals in the Nedbank Cup in February, while their pair shared a 0-0 draw in the league earlier in 2021.
In truth, Sundowns never looked like losing on Wednesday, and they were helped by a ninth-minute straight red card for Manziba, after he was deemed to have assaulted Sphelele Mkhulise with a high boot.
Maboe, who had entered as a replacement for the injured Mkhulise, duly opened the scoring for the champions-elect in the 32nd minute when he met Modiba’s pull-back following the wideman’s fine interplay with Gaston Sirino.
It was an impressive side-footed finish that left Ronwen Williams with no chance.
Next, it was the outstanding Modiba’s turn to take Downs even closer to the title against his former employers, although there was a stroke of fortune about the goal.
Surely aiming to pick out Kermit Erasmus with a delicious cross from the right flank, ex-SuperSport man’s delivery evaded the Bafana Bafana frontman. However, it also duped Williams, who could only watch on as the ball flew into the net.
Four minutes later, with SuperSport in disarray, Zwane rounded off the blitz, again meeting a Modiba cross at the near post to take the contest beyond the visitors.
Early in the second half, Sundowns had an opportunity to extend their lead when Phillips handled in the visitors' box following an Erasmus cross. Keenan Williams was equal to Zwane's effort from the spot, however, and saved the resulting spotkick.
Mokoena did respond for SSU late on, albeit to save face, as he beat Denis Onyango with a magnificent volley in the 86th minute.
There was further late drama at the death for Sundowns, as Brian Onyango was forced to deputise for his namesake between the sticks after the Uganda No. 1 had to be replaced with injury and Downs having used all of their substitutes.
