Sundowns thrash Gallants to go top of the Betway Premiership standings

Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the top of the Betway Premiership with a polished 4-1 win over hapless Marumo Gallants at Loftus on Tuesday night. 

The Brazilians are tied on six points with Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows and Polokwane City, but they are top of the pile because of their superior goal difference, having scored six goals after two matches while conceding only once.

After the win  they will turn their attention to the eagerly anticipated clash against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium while Gallants will be looking for their first win of the season when they host AmaZulu at Free State Stadium on Saturday.

Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi changed the entire starting line-up that started in the 4-0 comprehensive win in the final preliminary stage of the Champions League last weekend. 

Some of the key players making their way back to the staring line-up were captain Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Marcello Allende and Lucas Ribeiro. 

Defender Khuliso Mudau and midfielder Teboho Mokoena continued to be frozen out of the team as they were not part of the match day squad for the fourth match in succession. 

Despite being inactive, Broos has included Muda and Mokoena in his preliminary squad for the back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifies against Congo next month. 

Sundowns opened the scoring after nine minutes when attacker Tashreeq Matthews pounced to beat goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi after a mistake by Marumo Gallants defender Vusi Sibiya. 

Matthews turned provider just after the half hour mark as he laid a cross goal low pass to Iqraam Rayners who pounced with a first time shot to give Akpeyi no chance as they took control of the game. 

Sundowns got the second half off to the best possible start with Lucas Ribeiro putting the ball on the far side past stranded Akpeyi after he got an assist from Matthews, who had a good game. 

Sundowns increased their lead further when substitute Sphelele Mkhulise punished substitute goalkeeper Nicholas Mlambo. 

Gallants missed out an opportunity to get a consolation five minutes from time, but he made up for that mistake when he put the ball in the net a few minutes later.