Sitting in one of the best seats in the house, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela got a good view of what Mamelodi Sundowns have been about lately - guts and guile.
Seated in the same row as Sundowns officials Mike Ntombela and Trott Moloto here yesterday, Komphela witnessed the Brazilians come from behind in fine style against Free State Stars, as the Absa Premiership leaders ran out comfortable 5-2 winners to extend their lead at the top to six points.
Title hopeful Komphela must have had his fingers crossed that Sundowns would slip up, but the Chloorkop club had the spirit of champions in the excruciating heat of Orkney. Komphela must have sat there wondering how anybody would stop this enterprising Sundowns team.
The afternoon, however, did not start so well for the visitors.
Danny Venter gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, making a great run in the Sundowns half after Asavela Mbekile had lost possession at the other end of the field.
Venter tried his luck from outside the box and beat Wayne Sandilands in Sundowns' goal. It was no great start for Sandilands, who was included after Denis Onyango sustained a knee injury in training.
It was only the third time Sundowns conceded first this season, but their response was emphatic.
They were back on level terms when defender Wayne Arendse latched on to a loose ball in the box and finished from close range three minutes before the break. It was a frustrating first half for Sundowns, who clearly missed the creativity and energy of the injured Bongani Zungu in midfield.
Mbekile filled in for Zungu for the second consecutive game, but could not stamp his authority. His passing was hardly on point, while Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat were not their usual destructive selves in the first period. Dolly did, however, come to the party in the second period with a goal just a minute before the hour mark, with a well placed left footed shot after receiving the ball from the right flank. Three minutes later, in-form Leonardo Castro hustled his way into the Stars box before finding the back of the net.
Billiat scored his seventh of the season from close range after Stars goalkeeper Daouda Diakite failed to hold on to a Teko Modise cross. But they were not done.
Substitute Mogakolodi Ngele's brilliant solo run resulted in a fine goal in the final five minutes. Hendrik Somaeb scored a second for Stars late on.
Downs too good for Stars
Sitting in one of the best seats in the house, Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela got a good view of what Mamelodi Sundowns have been about lately - guts and guile.
Seated in the same row as Sundowns officials Mike Ntombela and Trott Moloto here yesterday, Komphela witnessed the Brazilians come from behind in fine style against Free State Stars, as the Absa Premiership leaders ran out comfortable 5-2 winners to extend their lead at the top to six points.
Title hopeful Komphela must have had his fingers crossed that Sundowns would slip up, but the Chloorkop club had the spirit of champions in the excruciating heat of Orkney. Komphela must have sat there wondering how anybody would stop this enterprising Sundowns team.
The afternoon, however, did not start so well for the visitors.
Danny Venter gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, making a great run in the Sundowns half after Asavela Mbekile had lost possession at the other end of the field.
Venter tried his luck from outside the box and beat Wayne Sandilands in Sundowns' goal. It was no great start for Sandilands, who was included after Denis Onyango sustained a knee injury in training.
It was only the third time Sundowns conceded first this season, but their response was emphatic.
They were back on level terms when defender Wayne Arendse latched on to a loose ball in the box and finished from close range three minutes before the break. It was a frustrating first half for Sundowns, who clearly missed the creativity and energy of the injured Bongani Zungu in midfield.
Mbekile filled in for Zungu for the second consecutive game, but could not stamp his authority. His passing was hardly on point, while Keagan Dolly and Khama Billiat were not their usual destructive selves in the first period. Dolly did, however, come to the party in the second period with a goal just a minute before the hour mark, with a well placed left footed shot after receiving the ball from the right flank. Three minutes later, in-form Leonardo Castro hustled his way into the Stars box before finding the back of the net.
Billiat scored his seventh of the season from close range after Stars goalkeeper Daouda Diakite failed to hold on to a Teko Modise cross. But they were not done.
Substitute Mogakolodi Ngele's brilliant solo run resulted in a fine goal in the final five minutes. Hendrik Somaeb scored a second for Stars late on.
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