It was billed as the clash of the “South African football powerhouses” and it definitely lived up to expectations as five-time in a row PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns stamped their authority as soccer’s highfliers at Loftus Stadium yesterday.
Fans were treated to a jamboree never seen before at a DStv Premiership match since Covid-19 hit our shores in March 2020, as across town rivals Tshwane giants Sundowns brought the Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs down to earth with a 4-0 thrashing yesterday.
In their first two matches of the 2022/23 season, Chiefs rose from a deflating season opening 1-0 loss against Royal AM to beat Maritzburg United 3-0 on Tuesday night.
The following day, Downs also suffered an unexpected but also demotivating 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy after an impressive 2-0 win against Cape Town City at the start of their campaign to defend their title.
But yesterday, Sundowns were the first to call the shots as early as the sixth minute, when a poor clearance by Siyabonga Ngezana fell short to reach his keeper, Ronwen Williams, and Gaston Sirino laid in wait to slot home, giving the home side an early lead.
Ten minutes later, South African Fifa referee Victor Gomes should have done better than committing such an error of penalising Ngezana for blocking Peter Shalulile’s run towards goal in the danger area. The least was to book the Amakhosi defender.
To rub salt into the already bleeding Chiefs wound, Zitha Kwinka was booked for
questioning the legitimacy of the spot kick, converted by Shalulile to give the Brazilians a two-goal first half cushion.
There was more drama on the field as Sundowns’ master goal poacher Shalulile added the third goal and Chiefs Khama Billiat’s attempt from the penalty spot was saved twice by Williams.
The PSL champions were not done as substitute Abubeker Nasir sensationally added a fourth goal for the home side after being set up by his fellow sub, Lyle Lakay, to the delight of the Yellow Nation. Downs fans spurred the players to put the final nail into the Chiefs coffin by scoring the fifth for a chisa mpama – but that was not to be.
Off the field, minutes before the big kick-off, Downs made the long-awaited announcement of finally signing up former Bafana Bafana midfielder Bongani Zungu as he makes a return to the club six years after he left to play abroad.
Zungu has been without a club since his departure from French League 2 side Amiens.
Premiership results
Stellenbosch 3, Royal AM 1; Marumo Gallants 1, Golden Arrow 1.
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