Mamelodi Sundowns beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 to open strong start to PSL defence
Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns swept Kaizer Chiefs aside with a 3-0 drubbing in the DStv Premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande were immediately thrown back in the Chiefs line-up after returning from suspension, while Sundowns had Thapelo Morena back from the side-lines.
Chiefs looked for an early opener when a first-time volley from Khama Billiat stinged the palms of Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango from a ball over the top of the defence.
The Brazilians recovered from the slow start towards the midway stage and had Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune acrobatically pushing Hlompho Kekana’s belter around the post.
Uncertain goalkeeping from Khune before the half-hour mark let in Shalulile who had a looping shot cleared off the line by Ramahlwe Mphahlele with the defence at sea.
That was also the forward’s last involvement, as a knock minutes later ended his afternoon with Lebohang Maboe whose final day hat-trick last season gave Masandawana the title introduced.
George Maluleka, who departed the Amakhosi in the middle of last season, made his long awaited debut for Sundowns in the last 20 minutes of the match.
Maluleka made his presence felt after going down in the area to earn a penalty with three minutes to go, leaving Zwane to send Khune the wrong way.
Chiefs had a chance to halve the tally in added time, but Keletso Sifama steered dismally wide from a gaping net as Masandawana bagged the victory.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chiefs: Khune, Frosler, Cardoso, Mphahlele, Sasman, Katsande, Manyama, Ngcobo, Billiat, Castro, Parker
Subs: Bvuma, Baccus, Ntshangase, Zulu, Ngezana, Mashiane, Blom, Sifama, Lesako
Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Lakay, Nascimento, Madisha, Jali, Coetzee, Kekana, Erasmus, Zwane, Shalulile.
Subs: Mweene, Mudau, Lebusa, Maluleka, Mvala, Modiba, Domingo, Mkhulise, Maboe.
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