Mamelodi Sundowns maintain momentum with big Golden Arrows win

Lucas Ribeiro broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 44th minute at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium and first-half substitute Peter Shalulile added a second with his well-taken effort with 65 minutes on the clock.

Shalulile was on target again, after 80 minutes before Teboho Mokoena sealed a convincing win with five minutes of the match remaining.

The result saw the Brazilians move onto 36 points from 13 games and leave Arrows down in eighth place with 19 points.

Abafana Bes'thende had started the tie well and Bongani Cele forced Ronwen Williams into a smart early save at his near post.

Ismail Watenga then had to be alert to get his hands to a long-range effort from Kobamelo Kodisang, as Ribeiro fired over with six minutes on the clock after being played in by Marcelo Allende

Sundowns continued to threaten and Sphelele Mkhulise came close with a shot from the edge of the area that was just too high.

Mkhulise though was withdrawn with 37 minutes on the clock and replaced with Shalulile.

And the changed proved to be inspired as Shalulile soon won the penalty converted by Ribeiro.

Shalulile had been upended in the box by an outstretched Watenga, who failed to keep out the subsequent spot-kick.

Sundowns were quickest out of the blocks at the start of the second half with Aubrey Modiba finding some space before unleashing a shot just inches wide of the target.

Chances were few and far between though leading Downs to make a double substitution, with Kegan Johannes and Tashreeq Matthews replacing Kodisang and Zuko Mdunyelwa.

Again the change appeared to have the desired result as just two minutes later the Brazilians scored again as Shalulile produced a sublime piece of quality to acrobatically fire home following some good interplay in the Arrows box.

Lucas came close to a third with a header in the 77th minute that he placed the wrong side of the Arrows goal, but an inspired Shalulile made no mistake when presented with the ball on 80 minutes.

The Namibian was fed the ball by Ribeiro after a superb break forward, that he slotted confidently home past an advancing Watenga.

Mokoena then sealed the result for Sundowns when he netted in the 85th minute of a largely one-sided affair.

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