Pretoria - Mamelodi Sundowns have closed the gap to Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs to eight points with a 5-0 win over Polokwane City on Wednesday evening.
A brace from Khama Billiat, as well as goals from Cuthbert Malajila, Anthony Laffor and Rodney Ramagalela took the Brazilians to an emphatic victory against Rise and Shine, who now has easily the worst defensive record in the league.
It was Sundowns that started the match with a high tempo, making it clear that they want the full points from Polokwane City. In the 14th minute Anthony Laffor took a good strike to try and open the scoring for Sumdowns, but it went wide.
A minute later Cuthbert Malajila finally got it right as he took the lead for Sundowns courtesy of Laffor’s assist.
Sundowns continued to attack and to search for another goal, but former Golden Arrows player Joseph Musonda was well alert at the back.
In the 25th minute Laffor was finally rewarded as he supplied a good finish which put his team in a 2-0 lead, and it was Malajila who had returned the favour this time.
Laffor never gave up on searching for more goals but he showed a great team effort as he supplied a ball to Khama Billiat, who did not hesitate to find the back of the net, taking Sundowns to a 3-0 lead before half time.
In the second half City made a strong comeback, with Puleng Tlolane taking a threatening shot that went wide of the left-hand post.
Thobani Mncwango took a stroke in the 69th minute to help his team find a goal, but Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango made a save.
A minute later Puleng Tlolane also tried his luck, but his shot and went wide of the right hand upright.
In the 77th minute Brazilian coach Pitso Mosimane gave his other goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene some game time as his team was leading 3-0.
Mweene was welcomed by a shot from Sipho Jembula, but he managed to save it, ensuring that his club maintained a clean sheet.
In the 89th minute minute of the match, Billiat netted the fourth goal for Sundowns and a minute later substitute Rodney Ramagalela also registered his name on the score sheet as Sundowns won 5-0.
Scorers: