Chiefs lose plot

Mamelodi Sundowns' 5-0 mauling of Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria, last night, will not linger long in memory simply because the clash was just too one-sided.

For Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane it might have been the turning point in the Premiership chase.

The reigning champions picked up maximum points on the night log leaders Kaizer Chiefs stumbled to a defeat away to Maritzburg United to give a dramatic twist to the championship pursuit.

We might be in for a photo finish. The Brazilians have reduced the lead at the top to just eight points and have a game in hand. And their goal difference is not looking too bad either.

This Absa Premiership clash was over as a contest as early as the 39th minute when Khama Billiat scored a third for Sundowns, adding to Cuthbert Malajila and Anthony Laffor's goals.

Billiat and substitute Rodney Ramagalela added one each later.

In the second half Billiat was booked for simulation, Sundowns keeper Dennis Onyango went off injured and City threw in the towel. But Sundowns won't be too bothered - they scored FIVE.

The rout started in the 13th minute when the Brazilian's deadly trio of Malajila, Billiat and Laffor exchanged exquisite passes as they charged at City.

Laffor found Malajila in the 16th minute to tuck away the opener.

The Zimbabwean is the joint sharpshooter alongside Moeketsi Sekola of Free State Stars.

• Mark Gleeson reports that Chiefs' usually reliable defence was uncharacteristically static when Maritzburg United's Khumbulani Banda rose to head home a corner at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.

It was his first touch nine minutes from the end to hand log leaders their second loss of the season.

Banda came off the bench and straight into the Chiefs' penalty area to head home the only goal of the game.

This was United's first win in nine league games.

United's top scorer Mohamed Anas could have done better with a chance in the 36th minute but did not settle on the ball before blasting his effort way over the bar.

• Tshepang Mailwane reports that Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto came alive when substitute Lerato Chabangu scored a dramatic late winner to earn Moroka Swallows a valuable three points.

Chabangu could hardly believe it when his freekick from a tight angle rattled the back of the Free State Stars' net in the last minute of regulation time.

The Dube Birds walked away with a 2-1 win that could inspire a turnaround for the side.

Without a victory since December 20, Swallows came from behind to secure this win.

Fani Madida's decision to again play defender Ashraf Hendricks as a striker paid off. The player scored the goal that cancelled out Moeketsi Sekola's early second-half strike.

• Platinum Stars beat University of Pretoria 1-0 at the Tuks Stadium. Eleazar Rodgers scored in the 86th minute.
• Mpumalanga Black Aces lost 2-1 to Ajax Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium. Eddie Ngalo had netted earlier for Aces (24th minute). Nathan Paulse (penalty, 68th minute) and Sibusiso Gumede (own goal, 78th) sealed the game for the Urban Warriors.
• Bloemfontein Celtic defeated Supersport United 1-0, courtesy of Alfred Ndengane's 25th-minute strike at the Free State Stadium