Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Nyiko Mobbie of Siwelele FC during the Betway Premiership match at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
Image: BackpagePix
A breathtaking eleven-goal thriller unfolded at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Mamelodi Sundowns overwhelmed Siwelele FC 7-4 in one of the wildest
The victory allowed Sundowns to stretch their lead at the top of the standings to six points while simultaneously sending a strong warning to Orlando Pirates, who were to play their game an hour later.
It was an afternoon dominated by attacking football, defensive chaos and clinical finishing as Bryan Leon bagged a hat-trick while Tashreeq Matthews added a brace in a rampant display from the defending champions.
Following their bruising 1-1 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in midweek, Sundowns entered the fixture under significant pressure knowing they could no longer afford another slip-up.
The champions were also forced into several changes, with players missing through suspension and injury after the physical encounter against Chiefs.
But any concerns quickly disappeared.
Sundowns exploded into life inside the opening 10 minutes and immediately showed intent to cut down the goal difference gap in the title race.
Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring in the seventh minute after reacting quickest to a loose clearance inside the box following his own initial effort.
Just two minutes later, Matthews doubled the advantage with a thumping header after getting onto the end of a dangerous delivery from Nuno Santos.
The pressure became relentless.
Siwelele’s problems deepened further in the 24th minute when Nyiko Mobbie unfortunately diverted the ball into his own net under heavy pressure from Sundowns attackers.
To their credit, the visitors briefly threatened a response through Ghampani Lungu in the 30th minute.
However, Sundowns immediately restored complete control.
Matthews grabbed his second in the 37th minute before Leon added another just four minutes later as the hosts headed into halftime with a commanding advantage.
The second half brought more chaos.
Leon continued tormenting the Siwelele defence with further goals to complete his hat-trick as Sundowns kept pushing aggressively in search of every possible goal.
Yet Siwelele refused to completely collapse and managed to find the back of the net three more times in an entertainingly open contest that resembled a cup tie more than a title-pressure league fixture.
The result also significantly boosted Sundowns psychologically after recent scrutiny around whether pressure was beginning to affect them in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Instead, the Brazilians responded with intensity, aggression and attacking sharpness that reminded the league why they remain favourites to retain the title yet again.
Ultimately though, the afternoon belonged to Sundowns.
After questions emerged around pressure and momentum in recent weeks, the Brazilians responded emphatically — not just with victory, but with one of the most explosive attacking performances of their season.
Sundowns now have one final league match remaining next Tuesday against TS Galaxy as the title race heads toward its dramatic conclusion.