Premier Soccer League leaders Mamelodi Sundowns notched the best win of the season when they outplayed Manning Rangers 5-1 at the HM Pitje Stadium on Sunday.
There was no score at half-time.
Downs took control after the break and completely outplayed their Durban-based opponents.
Peter Ndlovu and substitute Surprise Moriri each scored a brace while Neil Winstanley opened the scoring after 54 minutes.
Sundowns had the better of a busy opening half in which they should have taken the lead on a number of occasions.
The home side dominated while the struggling Durban club appeared to be happy to soak up the pressure.
Downs midfielder Josta Dladla hit the Rangers’ woodwork after four minutes. On 19 minutes, industrious Clement Mazibuko headed a corner over the Rangers’ crossbar. Mazibuko was wide again in the 26th minute.
Dladla was wide in the 22nd minute with a low diving header. But the best chance of the half fell to Lucas Sebona, who beat goalkeeper Harpur with a powerful shot that sailed fractionally wide of the post.
Two minutes from half-time, Harpur did well to deny Peter Ndlovu an opening goal with a good save.
Winstanley hammered home substitute Chicco Tine’s pass to open the floodgates in the 54th minute.
Ndlovu netted his first goal two minutes later and made it 3-0 with a brave diving header to slot home Godfrey Sapula’s free kick.
Moriri enjoyed his brief appearance in the second half when he thudded home a Thabiso Rammile corner to make it 4-0 in the 69th minute. Moriri then made it 5-0 to the delight of the Downs fans in the 75th minute with Rangers’ defence in tatters.
But Rangers refused to lie down and Alton Meiring hit the Downs crossbar in the 88th minute. Rangers got their consolation goal in injury time with a rocket-like shot from Linos Chalwe. — Sapa