Mamelodi Sundowns beat SuperSport United 3-1 to clinch yet another top-flight league title at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening.
After their outing in the CAF Champions League, Brian Onyango and Kermit Erasmus were restored back into the Sundowns starting line-up, while Jamie Webber and Thamsanqa Gabuza were fielded by Kaitano Tembo.
Early on, the visitors got reduced to ten men with just seven minutes played when Guily Manziba made a reckless challenge on Siphelele Mkhulise.
The champions-elect eventually got their noses in front in the 32nd minute. Sirino played Modiba in down the left who squared the ball back into the box for Lebohang Maboe, who was left with the simplest of touches, to finish from range.
The Brazilians increased their tally some minutes before the interval. Aubrey Modiba whipped one in from the right-hand side which went beyond the reach of Erasmus as well as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams as the ball crept into the far corner unchallenged.
Masandawana kept pushing on for more goals and they got it with some minutes left in the half to be played. Modiba beat his marker excellently and was able to square the ball to Themba Zwane who stabbed home for his 10th league goal of the season.
After the break, Sundowns were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute when Keenan Phillips was penalized for handballing Modiba’s cross. Zwane was saddled with the responsibility from 12-yards but his tame effort couldn’t beat Williams who was able to palm it away to safety.
Sundowns were having a fun-filled day as the chances kept coming. Zwane missed another golden opportunity when Thapelo Morena made a cut-back into the box only for arriving Zwane to fire wide of the post with his left foot.
Matsatsantsa grabbed a consolation goal in stunning fashion with five minutes from time when Teboho Mokoena controlled a ball in the box before firing a screaming volley with the outside of the boot into the top right-hand corner.
The goal handed Matsatsantsa some energy and only Onyango prevented them from getting a second when he made a brilliant save to keep the scores at 3-1. He showed quick reflex to get down smartly to his left before thwarting the effort at the feet of the waiting SuperSport attackers.
Impressive Onyango was forced off with a finger injury in the closing stages as Brian Onyango stood in goal but the result and title destination were confined afterwards – Sundowns – their fourth league win in five seasons.