Neeskens ploy pays off

A brave decision by Mamelodi Sundowns coach Johan Neeskens - to leave the club's leading goalscorer this season on the bench for the game against Black Leopards - paid rich dividends.

Sundowns (1) 5 - Leopards (0) 1

Katlego Mphela was given a wake-up call when the coach opted to start with the inconsistent Nyasha Mushekwi and Mushekwi didn't disappoint, scoring twice, in the 45th and 63rd minutes, to give Downs a 2-0 lead.

Mphela came off the bench to get a third for the Pretoria club just after the hour mark, just seconds after he made his way onto the pitch.

He also added a second minutes before the final whistle, following Richard Henyekane's 87th-minute effort.

Leopards suffered their heaviest defeat of the season and Khethokwakhe Masuku's stunning free kick five minutes from time was little more than cold comfort.

The tactical changes made by Neeskens in this match, following a draw last time out against Golden Arrows away from home, suggest the coach is starting to get it right.

Although Sundowns struggled for most of the first half, battling to do the basics and squandering chance after chance, their second-half performance was outstanding.

Downs had become known as the team that gives its best for only 45 minutes and not for the full 90 minutes. Yesterday they saved the best for the second half.

Their first-half display needed polishing, and Mushekwi's strike - on the stroke of half time - seemed to be the jolt they needed.

Mphela last scored a league goal on September 13 and had endured a dry spell since the two net-busters in that 3-2 victory against Wits.

It is rare that a struggling striker comes off the bench to score twice. The decision by Neeskens to make him watch the game from the touchline seemed to be just the motivation he needed.

Between them Mphela and Mushekwi have scored 10 goals in nine games this season, with seven of them coming from the Bafana striker.

Elias Pelembe created two of the five goals yesterday and also has three league goals of his own this season, despite missing earlier matches because of injury.

This win was Sundowns' biggest this season, ahead of the 4-0 thumping of Moroka Swallows in August at their former home ground, Lucas Moripe stadium.

While their opposition remained second from bottom on the league table, Sundowns must now play catch-up with leaders, and neighbours Supersport United.

The three-times league-title winners are now three points ahead of Sundowns, who are fourth on the log standings.

In the only other league game yesterday, at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, Orlando Pirates beat Jomo Cosmos 2-1 thanks to an 87th-minute winner by Tokelo Rantie.