Downs overpower Spurs at Loftus

Mamelodi Sundowns made light work of Cape Town Spurs in their latest DStv Premiership encounter, following a 3-0 victory over the Urban Warriors at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.

FULL-TIME:@Masandawana 3-0 @CapeTownSpursFC#DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/dh6pVK5z02

During a dominant first-half, goals by Sipho Mbule and Grant Kekana set the tone for the rest of the encounter, while a late effort by Peter Shalulile completed the scoreline.

Sundowns swiftly asserted themselves on the game and held most of the ball during the first five minutes of the game. The likes of Mbule and Gaston Sirino made their presence felt early on as their interplay provided the visitors with a couple of nervy moments on the edge of the Spurs box.

While Spurs looked shaky in defence, Ernst Middendorp’s side attacked in sporadic moments and breached the Downs half with long balls up field.

Nevertheless, Sundowns took the lead in the 22nd minute as Mbule got his name on the scoresheet. After latching onto a wayward clearance on the edge of the Spurs 18-yard-box, the midfielder let off a powerful shot that beat goalkeeper Neil Boshoff at his near post.

Downs doubled their lead shortly before the half-hour mark, with Kekana joining Mbule on the scoresheet. After Urban Warriors failed to deal with a loose ball inside the penalty area from a corner situation, Kekana found himself in the right place and the right time to slot the ball away from close range.

Sundowns piled on pressure toward the end of the half and came close to scoring a third goal on numerous occasions. However, in what was a tiring half for the visiting side, Downs headed into the halftime break with two goals to the good.

Much like that of at the start of the first-half, Downs looked comfortable on the ball at the restart. The Brazilians stroked the ball around with ease and often left Spurs chasing shadows in the middle of the pitch.

The Tshwane-giants remained in full control of the tie after an hour played at Loftus, while the Urban Warriors battled to make their mark on the game. Despite making a number of reinforcements for the second 45, Downs were unfazed by the Urban Warriors attacking attempts.

The game reached a tacky period toward the 80th minute mark, as Sundowns took their foot off the gas pedal from an attacking point of view.

Shalulile then added the icing on the cake in the 89th minute, after getting on the end of a low cross into the area by Thapelo Morena before guiding the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.

Mamelodi Sundowns: (2) 3 (Mbule 22, Kekana 28’, Shalulile 89’

Cape Town Spurs: (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Morena, Mashego, Kekana, De Reuck (Seabi 70’), Mkhulise (Zungu 70’), Mbule (Nkosi 70’), Maboe, Sirino, Nku (Modiba 83’), Nassir (Shalulile 46’)

Cape Town Spurs: Boschoff, Dortley, Haukongo, Daniels, Brown (Bern 46’), Morton (Velebayi 46’), Nel, Butsaka, Buchanan, Thethani (Mfecane 66’), Cupido (Moosa 46’)