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Pretoria - Mamelodi Sundowns returned to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a 4-1 in over Free State Stars at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Khama Billiat, for a fifth game in succession, was on target against Stars, with Percy Tau (two goals) and Keagan Dolly also finding the back of the net. Thokozani Sekotlong scored what proved to be a mere consolation for Ea Lla Koto.
The Brazilians probed from the onset as they aimed to make amends for their defeat to Ajax Cape Town in midweek.
The defending league champions, boosted by the return of the ever influential 'CBD', bossing proceedings early on with Billiat and Dolly forcing on-loan goal-minder Thela Ngobeni into a succession of saves.
But, for all their early pressure - Sundowns were almost hit with a sucker-punch as first Sifiso Mbhele saw his header attempt onto the woodwork before Moeketsi Sekola squandered a golden opportunity.
Sundowns made their visitors pay as Billiat found the back of the net with 43 minutes on the clock, the Zimbabwean continuing his good run of form against Ea Lla Koto by latching on to a perfect through ball by Leonardo Castro.
Stars hit straight back through Sekotlong a minute later. Back in the capital where he started his top-flight career, the former AmaTuks striker hammered home a curling shot past Denis Onyango following a lung-busting run by Bokang Tlhone.
Sundowns restored their lead in the 58th minute through Tau. The diminutive attacker showed his class with a superb header that cannoned into the top left corner of the net.
Dolly doubled the hosts’ lead two minutes later, with the Bafana Bafana winger opening his account in the league with a well-worked goal; linking up with both Billiat and Castro before hammering the ball into the back of the net.
Tau completed his brace in the 79th minute; finishing off a superb solo run with a cool and collected finish as 'Downs now switch attention to the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup.
Sundowns depart for Osaka, Japan on Monday.
Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 4 (Billiat 43' Tau 58' 79' Dolly 60')
Free State Stars (1) 1 (Sekotlong 44')
Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango; Langerman (Julies 85'), Nthethe, Arendse (Soumahoro 64'), Morena - Mohomi, Kekana (Modise 82') - Dolly, Tau, Billiat - Castro
Free State Stars: Ngobeni; Makhaula, Mbhele,Okumu (Filita 66'), Tlhone (Ndlovu 75') - Venter, Kampi (Mobbie 22'), Vilakazi, Sekotlong - Thethani, Sekola
