Mamelodi Sundowns moved four points clear atop the 2021/22 DStv Premiership standings following a 3-0 win over Swallows FC at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday evening.
Goals from Pavol Safranko, Neo Maema and Peter Shalulile steered the Brazilians to a commanding win in the country’s capital. Another heavy defeat, this time in the league, leaves the Birds in 14th spot and just three points above the relegation zone.
Shalulile headed into the game in hot form and almost found the opener with two minutes on the clock, but Sanele Tshabalala raced off his line to deny Namibian.
Swallows then took control of proceedings and created a flurry of chances which tested Denis Onyango in the Sundowns goal.
Matlala Makgalwa, who is no stranger to the Sundowns fraternity, forced Onyango into a good save with a powerful shot from the edge of the area in the sixth minute.
Khethukuthula Ndlovu then burst into the Sundowns penalty area on the back of a weaving run and Onyango had to be at his best to keep out the winger’s low shot, and the Ugandan was at it again soon after to deny Tebogo Langerman from finding the back of the net with his weaker foot.
Swallows were made to rue not taking any of a catalogue of chances as Sundowns hit the front before the half-hour mark.
Thabiso Kutumela rattled the woodwork before seeing his follow-up shot superbly cleared off the line by a retreating Wandisile Letlabika, but the Brazilians would score from the resulting corner-kick as Safranko nodded home Lyle Lakay’s cross.
Sundowns doubled their lead in the 78th minute following superb link-up play between second-half substitutes Sibusiso Vilakazi and Maema. The aforementioned played a neat pass into the path of his teammate who finished with aplomb.
Swallows almost hit back three minutes later from a set-piece situation, but Onyango dove to his right to deny Ndlovu whose header looked sure to find the back of the net.
Scorer turned provider with a minute of regulation time remaining as Sundowns put the game to bed. Maema found Shalulile who continued his scoring streak with a diving header to seal a comprehensive win for the defending champions.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 3 (Safranko 29′ Maema 78′ Shalulile 89′)Swallows FC (0) 0TEAMS:
Mamelodi Sundowns:D.Onyango; Lunga, De Reuck (90+2′), Kekana, Lakay, Domingo (Vilakazi 68′), Jali, Safranko (Maema 68′), Kutumela (Coetzee 68′), Zwane (Modiba 84′), Shalulile.
Swallows FC:Tshabalala; Langerman, Letlabika, Sibiya, Matlaba, Nyatama (Nene 68′), Matlou, Mahlatsi (Wambi 83′), Ndlovu (Muwowo 90+1′), Makgalwa (Solomons 83′), Musonda (Malinga 68′).© Backpage TXT
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