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Sundowns one win from the title after routing Rockets
Shalulile made up for poor recent performances by grabbing a brace as Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 23 league matches.
Peter Shalulile scores a brace in the 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy. ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns are back to winning ways following a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy in a DStv Premiership match that was played at Loftus Versfeld. The Brazilians dominated the game from the first whistle and had a commanding 2-0 lead at the break with Peter Shalulile getting a brace.
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Thembinkosi Lorch came off the bench to round off the scoring in the second half as Sundowns edge closer to another league title. Masandwana need just one more win to pick up a record-extending seventh successive league title.
They will wrap up the league championship should they beat old nemesis Kaizer Chiefs on Thursday. Sundowns will also be crowned champions if second-placed Stellenbosch FC lose to Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
Shalulile came under scrutiny for his lacklustre showing in the Caf Champions League semifinal defeat to Esperance last Friday. Before the clash against Galaxy, the 30-year-old’s last league goal came against Cape Town Spurs in December.
In fact, the Namibian’s only goal this year came in the Champions League game against TP Mazembe last month. Shalulile made up for his poor performance by grabbing a brace as Sundowns extended their unbeaten run to 23 league matches.
His first goal was a half-volley from a Themba Zwane cross from the right while the second came from a silky move that saw Zwane set him up with a lovely back heel. Zwane was again involved in the third goal – this time he fed Lorch inside the box who unleashed a first time shot to kill off the game.
Rockets lack spark
The win will go a long way in easing the heartache of the loss to Esperance and the home fans were treated to some great football as Sundowns played with flair. The Rockets simply didn’t turn up in Tshwane and hardly threatened the whole night.
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Galaxy were reduced to 10-man Orebotse Mongae was shown red for a late tackle from behind on Bongani Zungu with five minutes left.
The Rockets’ best chance came from the spot in stoppage time but Bernard Parker had his penalty saved by Ronwen Williams. It was Parker’s first game back since the horrific leg break earlier this season.
