Percy Tau last night again underscored why he is considered a shoo-in for Absa Premiership player of the season crown.
He delivered yet another top-class first-half performance that helped Mamelodi Sundowns surge closer to the league title.
The 23-year-old striker did not add to his 11 league goals, but made two timely assists after benefiting from Phumlani Ntshangase's mistakes in the Wits midfield. These helped Themba Zwane and Sibusiso Vilakazi each score their fifth league goals of the season.
Tau was a menace to the Wits defence from the start. His two assists added to many he has donated to his teammates.
The three points moved Pitso Mosimane's side six points clear at the top of the table and helped them stretch their unbeaten league run to nine games.
The win was the fourth on the trot and it moved the Brazilians closer to their eighth league title in 21 years of the PSL era.
With four matches remaining, two more wins should see Sundowns sail clear of their nearest and only rivals, Orlando Pirates. They could well be crowned champions in the Free State on May 12 when they play their last match of the season against Bloemfontein Celtic.Tau's influence last night yielded the first goal when he dispossessed Ntshangase and went on a mazy run before laying a clean pass to Zwane to score.
Close to 20 minutes later Ntshangase, who was replaced by Granwald Scott at halftime, gifted a pass to Tau, who put Vilakazi clear to put the ball between Wits keeper Darren Keet's legs.
The second half was much closer with Gavin Hunt's side pushing for goals in their attempt to find the points that could help them to finish inside the top eight.
But Sundowns wouldn't budge and goalkeeper Dennis Onyango held Wits at bay.
Indeed, Sundowns could have added more goals as they continued to press forward with Thapelo Morena, who was deployed in an attacking position after coming on for Vilakazi in the second half, missing two of their easier chances.
Kick-off time was put back three hours to allow mourners at Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral to watch this match. At Loftus, there was a full grand stand.
In a Free State derby last night, Bloem Celtic and Free State Stars drew 1-1, the goals coming five minutes apart from Stars' Goodman Dlamini and Celtic's Victor Letsoalo soon after half-time.
Mamelodi Sundowns(2) 2
Bidvest Wits(0) 0
Goals: Sundowns - Themba Zwane (17min), Sibusiso Vilakazi (36min)..