Kaizer Chiefs were merciless in hammering Maritzburg United 6-1 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match played at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
Chiefs led 2-1 at half-time.
In-form Kaizer Motaung Jnr stole the limelight with a hat-trick, but it was United striker Sandile Ndlovu who hushed the Amakhosi supporters when he beat Chiefs goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez in the 23rd minute to open the scoring.
But then Motaung started the rampage, equalising two minutes later and adding his second in the 40th minute.
In the second half, Chiefs continued the onslaught and it was Motaung who combined well with midfielder Siyadonga Nkosi, Ditheko Mototo and left back David Obua to get his third in the 60th minute.
Chiefs coach, Ernst Middendorp then surprisingly substituted Motaung with striker Serge Djiehoua and Thabo Mooki for Nkosi.
It turned out to be an inspired substitution when Djiehoua added Chiefs’ fourth in the 68th minute after connecting from a Mooki corner kick.
Fellow striker Gert Schalkwyk made it 5-1 to Chiefs when he scored six minutes before time and Shaun Bartlett added the final nail in the coffin in the 88th minute with a well-taken header.
In another PSL fixture, Moroka Swallows, playing at their temporary ground at Royal Bafokeng, beat Santos 2-0.
There was no score at half-time.
Gavin Hunt’s charges controlled the entire first half but failed to punish Roger de Sa’s youngsters.
However, the Beautiful Birds scored two quick goals in succession deep into the second half via midfielder Mark Haskin and Patrick Twala.
The win will give some reprieve to Hunt who has come under fire from Swallows fans for his team’s poor form of late.
In other games played on Sunday, SuperSport United beat Celtic 2-1 while Pirates and Arrows played to a 1-1 draw. — Sapa