Downs unbeaten for 40 league games
Sundowns are currently leading the pack on 42 points after 16 games.
Mamelodi Sundowns completed a double against the KwaZulu-Natal side AmaZulu during a midweek clash at Loftus Versfeld stadium on Tuesday.
The Tshwane giants thrashed Usuthu 3-0 thanks to a hat trick by the Brazil-born Lucas Costa Ribeiro.
Ribeiro was in the forefront as Downs beat AmaZulu converting a penalty kick in the early minutes of the first half in their last meeting the latter hosted, 1-0.
An incredible night out for Lucas! 👆#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/g0F7q3OG8R
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 28, 2024
Ribeiro’s exploits not only placed him as a favourite to win the DSTV Premiership top goal-scorer of the season but also extended Masandawana’s run to 40 straight games unbeaten.
This time, the Masandawana forward broke the deadlock on 48 minutes, then nine minutes later grabbed his brace before completing his hat trick on 78 minutes to give his team a 12-point lead at the table’s summit.
Ribeiro became the third player this season to score a hat trick.
Bradley Grobler scored the first hat-trick of the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season as SuperSport United beat Royal AM 3–1 at the TUT Stadium on October 25, 2023.
Amazulu’s Augustine Chidi Kwem was second to a hat trick on November 12, against Arrows.
A hat-trick from Ribeiro sees Masandawana extend their lead at the top of the table!👆
Mamelodi Sundowns (48', 58', 78' Ribeiro) 3⃣➖0⃣ AmaZulu #Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/rOy1v7lEc1
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 27, 2024
Bafana Ba Style last suffered a defeat going down 1-2 in the Tshwane derby to SuperSport United earlier in the season.
📺 After yesterday's win, we caught up with Zuko Mdunyelwa to get his views on the incredible night at Loftus! 🗣#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/dq6qrZDLD4
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) February 28, 2024
Coach Rulani Mokwena came into the match against Usuthu with a changed front three line, resting Themba Zwane, talisman Peter Shalulile and skilful attacker Thembinkosi Lorch opting to start Matias Esquevel, Lucas Rebeiro and Gaston Sirino.
Lorch, who is currently on form, opened his Sundowns and CAF Champions League account when he scored the winning goal to send Downs to the top of group A on Saturday against FC Nouadhibou.
Downs are running on a tight schedule this year, having back-to-back games in both domestic and national competitions that Mokwena felt the need to remind his side to keep their focus, especially with the return leg against TP Mazembe coming up this weekend.
Sundowns will host the DRC side at the Lucas Moripe stadium on Saturday because their usual home stadium Loftus Versfeld hosts a Blue Bulls rugby match.
ALSO READ:Â Elderly woman, animal rescue organisation desperately looking for dog stolen with car
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083Â 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
