Mamelodi Sundowns scored five goals for the second straight game after thrashing Royal AM 5-1 to edge closer to the DStv Premiership title on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 5-1 Royal AM
Date: 14 March 2023
Venue: Loftus Verseld Stadium
Sundowns were unchanged from the side that hammered Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League, while John Maduka handed a start to Sedwyn George in the Royal AM attack alongside Ruzaigh Gamildien.
Coach Rulani Mokwena was forced make a change after just 13 minutes after Grant Kekana was stretchered off with a head injury after colliding with goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The hosts were nearly caught cold seven minutes later after George latched onto a cross at the back post and guided a shot onto the post from six-yards out.
That was a wake-up call for Rulani Mokwena's charges, who broke the deadlock moments later with a low finish from Mailula after a well-worked passing move in the final third.
Sundowns quickly doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark after shot-stopper Zakahle Ngcobo lost his footing at a crucial moment and could not control Ricardo Nascimento's back pass that resulted in an own goal.
The Brazilians gained the upper hand and Shalulile added his name to the score-sheet just before the break with a looping shot into the top corner after a cushioned pass by Khuliso Mudau, taking his tally to ten league goals.
The Tshwane giants oozed confidence from the break and Shalulile rubbed salt into Royal AM's wounds six minutes later with a strike from close range to complete his brace and extend his lead at the top of the Golden Boot race.
Sundowns dropped the intensity of their game after Bradley Ralani replaced Marcelo Allende on 65 minutes and the visitors had hope going forward, as Lantshene Phalane found a consolation goal with a rocket from a diagonal angle on the edge of the box.
The Brazilians regained their dominance and ran riot with 16 minutes to go as Mothobi Mvala added a fifth goal with a downward header at the near post from a corner by Aubrey Modiba.
There was a worrying incident for Sundowns in the closing minutes after Haashim Domingo was attended by the paramedics and stretchered off down the tunnel, breathing through the help of oxygen apparatus.
There was also a special moment for 16-year-old Siyabonga Mabena who made his first-team debut by replacing Zwane for the final ten minutes of the game.
Sundowns pulled 20 points clear at the top of the league and need two more victories to be crowned champions, if second-placed SuperSport United don't drop points.
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 25. Mudua, 17. Modiba, 20. Kekana, 34. Mvala, 4. Mokoena, 35. Maema, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 38. Shalulile, 33. Mailula
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 13. Boutouil, 6. B. Onyango, 41. Mashego, 27. Morena, 24. Mbule, Mabena, 29. Ralani, 23. Domingo
Royal AM: 32. Ngcobo, 17. Mogaila, 13. Manganyi, 3. Nascimento, 14. Matlaba, 6. Kobedi, 2. Msomi, 7. Pelembe, 30. Gamildien, 38. Mashiane, 45. George
Subs: Mpoto, 29. Sikhakhane, Jele, 44. Dube, 8. Phalane, 42. Ncobeni, 40. Cele, 34. Thikazi, 39. Khumalo
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