Not only did Mamelodi Sundowns deposit a full compliment of points into their league account, but they brutally walloped Black Leopards 5-1 at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.

The visitors from Thohoyandou managed to match the Brazilians pound for pound throughout the first half, but it was difficult for them to find their way through the defence of Sundowns. Inspired by Nyasha Mushekwi and Katlego Mphela’s braces, Sundowns were by far the better side in the last half.

Realising that their scoring chances were slim, Lidoda Duvha settled at the far back and relied greatly on counterattacks. The keeper of Leopards, Postnet Omony, was forced to work overtime, making some brilliant saves in the first 30 minutes of the game. In the first instance, Omony stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save, following Mushekwi’s close-range strike in the 18th minute. Mushekwi scored his first goal on the stroke of half time.

Leopards replaced their keeper, Postnet Omony, with Azwinndini Maphaha two minutes into the last half. Mushekwi doubled Sundowns’ advantage in the 64th minute, beating a defender of Leopards, Siphiwe Vezi, before sending Maphaha the wrong way. Katlego Mphela and Richard Hanyekane scored in quick succession soon afterwards to make it 4-0.

Leopards introduced Raymond Monama for Mahlatse Maake in the 78th minute. They reduced one via Khethowakhe Masuku, who scored from the place kick in the 85th minute. Sundowns scored the fifth through Katlego Mphela in the referee’s optional time.