Mamelodi Sundowns back to winning ways with AmaZulu rout

Peter Shalulile broke the deadlock with his goal on 51 minutes and Arthur Sales sealed the result with his 87th minute strike.

It was a return to winning was for the Brazilians, who drew 1-1 with Golden Arrows on Wednesday, with the victory seeing the club end the evening in first place on the league standings with 58 points, 18 clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates, who have four games in hand.

Usuthu are in seventh place with 30 points from 22 games.

Sundowns started on the front foot with Aubrey Modiba close to an opener with a shot he fired over the bar after an initial attempt by Shalulile that dropped at his feet.

Taariq Fielies was inches with a header from a free-kick as AmaZulu looked to impose themselves on the tie.

Recalled striker Iqraam Rayners was denied by Usuthu goalkeeper Veli Mothwa as he tried to latch onto a Teboho Mokoena through ball, as Tshepang Moremi hit his shot over the Downs goal following a super cross from Pule Ekstein.

Sales came on for Divine Lunga at the start of the second half, ahead of Shalulile's opener and 100th goal for Downs.

Lucas Suarez came close to adding a second from a header just moments later but his header was well saved by Mothwa.

Sales was wide from a good break forward, but he made no mistake in the dying minutes of the game with a smart finish from a Lucas Ribeiro  delivery, as Riaan Hanamub wasted the chance for a last-gasp consolation as he smashed his shot well over the Sundowns goal.

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