Mamelodi Sundowns hammered Durban City 4-1 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday evening to reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership standings.
Masandawana thumped City in Phokeng thanks to Thabang Matuludi’s brace and goals from inspired substitutes Iqraam Rayners and Antonio Van Wyk.
This win saw Masandawana topple Orlando Pirates at the summit of the Betway Premiership, two points off the Buccaneers, who have a game in hand.
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As for Durban City, this defeat marked a fifth successive winless match in the league for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit. They remain placed 13th in the Betway Premiership log.
Sundowns asserted an early dominance in the match as they pinned Durban City in their own half as they looked for an early breakthrough.
Fredrick Asare made a brilliant save to deny Cassius Mailula from a point-blank range in the opening ten minutes.
Masandawana eventually found the opening in the 33rd minute through new signing Thabang Matuludi, whose brilliant diving header beat Asare from the 18-yard box from a corner kick.
Masandawana dominated the entire first half, with Goalkeeper Ricardo Goss having little to deal with in the opening 45 minutes.
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Miguel Cardoso made a triple substitution in the second half to sharpen his side’s attacking front, with misfiring Bryan replaced by Iqraam Rayners, Tashreeq Matthews replaced by Antonio Van Wyk, and Cassius Mailula replaced by Siyanda Ndlovu.
Limpopo connection came through on the 65th minute as Aubrey Modiba played a delightful cross that was met by Thabang Matuludi’s towering header to complete his first-ever brace since turning professional.
Cardoso changes paid off in the 79th minute as Siyanda Ndlovu combined with Iqraam Rayners to put the encounter out of reach for the citizens.
Durban City scored a consolation on the five minutes from stoppage time through DR Congo international Jean Lwamba after a delightful cross from Samkelo Maseko.
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Inspired second-half substitution Antonio Van Wyk restored Sundowns’ three-goal cushion after being set through by Arthur Sales, who is returning from a long-term injury layoff.
Masandawana will now turn their attention to face Lamontville Golden Arrows in the Carling Knockout quarterfinals on Tuesday, 3 November.
Meanwhile, Durban City will get a much-needed break as their midweek fixture against TS Galaxy is postponed due to the Local Government Elections on 4 November.
The Citizens will also not take part of the Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinals in the following weekend after being eliminated from the round of 16 by Stellenbosch FC.
Other Betway Premiership results;
Orlando Pirates 2-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Milford 1-0 Sekhukhune United
Stellenbosch 0-2 Chippa United
AmaZulu 1-0 Golden Arrows
Polokwane City 0-0 TS Galaxy
Kruger United 2-1 Richards Bay