Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the top of the Betway Premiership table with a 4-1 thrashing of winless Marumo Gallants on Tuesday evening.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 4-1 Marumo Gallants
Date: 24 September 2024
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi brought the regulars back in to the side after making 11 changes for Saturday's CAF Champions League tie against Mbabane Swallows, but there was still no place for Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau.
The reigning league champions needed just eight minutes to find the breakthrough as Tashreeq Morris pounced on a deflected cross in the box and sent a first-time finish into the far corner.
Gallants were lucky not to be two goals down after 20 minutes when a well-worked passing move ended with Aubrey Modiba picking out Marcelo Allende, who blazed over the crossbar from six-yards out.
While the visitors struggled to make the most of their possession, Sundowns went on to double their lead in the ten minutes before the break as Ribeiro Costa released Matthews, who then turned provider to pick out Iqraam Rayners for the close-range finish.
Sundowns should no signs settling down in the second period as they bagged a third goal three minutes in, with Matthews picking up his second assist by setting up Ribeiro for his second league goal this campaign.
With Sundowns comfortably leading, Mngqithi opted to withdraw the likes of Ribeiro, Rivaldo Coetzee and Asekho Tiwani for Peter Shalulile, Malibongwe Khoza and Sphelele Mkhulise on the hour mark.
Things went from bad to worse for Gallants after losing goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi to injury, before his replacement Kagiso Mlambo lost possession in his own box minutes after coming on, which allowed Mkhulise to slot into an empty net on 70 minutes.
Gallants had the chance to grab a consolation after being awarded a penalty in the final five minutes, but Gabadinho Mhango failed to convert after firing straight at goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Mhango did redeem himself a few minutes later when he got his name on the score-sheet by turning home a cross from Daniel Msendami, as the Brazilians pick up maximum points but no clean sheet.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 5. Lebusa, 40. Coetzee, 20. Kekana, 27. Morena, 31. Tiwani, 6. Modiba, 11. Allende, 10. Ribeiro, 17. Matthews, 13. Rayners
Subs: 14. Onyango, 42. Khoza, 28. Mndunyelwa, 39. Maboe, 21. Mkhulise, 18. Zwane, 3. Lorch, 19. Kodisang, 38. Shalulile
Marumo Gallants: 16. Akpeyi, 22. Msendami, 21. Mabotja, 3. Rikhotso, 24. Sibiya, 5. Manaka, 11. Dhludhlu, 14. Nange, 27. Shai, 26. Sithole, 6. Mahlatsi
Subs: 1. Mlambo, 25. Mathiane, 18. Chabatsane, 15. Nemtajela, 8. Mokbodi, 4. X. Mlambo, 50. Nhlapo, 10. Mphambaniso, 7. Mhango
