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Johannesburg - Papi Zothwane scored two goals in quick succession to give Mamelodi Sundowns a 3-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in their Premiership match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
Sundowns consolidated their lead at the top of the table in a game where the convincing scoreline was largely due to the individual brilliance of Zothwane.
The men from Chloorkop, for the majority of the match, did not look like the best in the land, as they took their foot off the pedal after a fast start to the match.
The home team suddenly clicked with 25 minutes remaining, with the two second-half goals from Zothwane ending the match as a contest.
A goal in the fifth minute gave Sundowns the perfect start. Downs midfielder Elias Pelembe's perfectly timed pass released Bafana star striker Katlego 'Killer' Mphela, who tore away from the Aces defence and chipped keeper Denis Onyango to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
In the 37th minute, Aces should have levelled the score when Thulani Nkosi crossed to his midfield partner Marawaan Bantam, who found himself unmarked in the middle of the box. His shot was tame as he headed the ball harmlessly towards Sundowns keeper Wayne Sandilands. It was to be the only shot on target for Aces in the first half.
After the early goal, the game stagnated for close on 60 minutes until Zothwane stepped up to claim an emphatic victory for the home side.
However, it was shocking defence in the 69th minute that allowed Zothwane acres of space in the box and his first time shot was fortunate to take a deflection on its way into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 to Sundowns.
Zothwane added his second four minutes later when he sent a thunderbolt into the top of the net from 10 metres out to make it 3-0 to the home team. His second goal was as brilliant as his first goal was fortunate.
Sundowns will feel very pleased with the scoreline in a game they were largely average, and they will direct their gratitude to the match-winning individual performance of Zothwane.
Sundowns consolidated their lead at the top of the table in a game where the convincing scoreline was largely due to the individual brilliance of Zothwane.
The men from Chloorkop, for the majority of the match, did not look like the best in the land, as they took their foot off the pedal after a fast start to the match.
The home team suddenly clicked with 25 minutes remaining, with the two second-half goals from Zothwane ending the match as a contest.
A goal in the fifth minute gave Sundowns the perfect start. Downs midfielder Elias Pelembe's perfectly timed pass released Bafana star striker Katlego 'Killer' Mphela, who tore away from the Aces defence and chipped keeper Denis Onyango to make it 1-0 to Sundowns.
In the 37th minute, Aces should have levelled the score when Thulani Nkosi crossed to his midfield partner Marawaan Bantam, who found himself unmarked in the middle of the box. His shot was tame as he headed the ball harmlessly towards Sundowns keeper Wayne Sandilands. It was to be the only shot on target for Aces in the first half.
After the early goal, the game stagnated for close on 60 minutes until Zothwane stepped up to claim an emphatic victory for the home side.
However, it was shocking defence in the 69th minute that allowed Zothwane acres of space in the box and his first time shot was fortunate to take a deflection on its way into the back of the net to make the score 2-0 to Sundowns.
Zothwane added his second four minutes later when he sent a thunderbolt into the top of the net from 10 metres out to make it 3-0 to the home team. His second goal was as brilliant as his first goal was fortunate.
Sundowns will feel very pleased with the scoreline in a game they were largely average, and they will direct their gratitude to the match-winning individual performance of Zothwane.
