No one understands the importance of embracing responsibility more than Leonardo Castro right now.
Having welcomed a newborn baby girl a couple of weeks ago, Castro showed he can deal with the huge task at work too when he scored a double to inspire Absa Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to a 3-1 victory over Polokwane City last night.
Castro bagged a goal either side of half time while Keagan Dolly finished off the hosts with a third goal just after the hour mark, at a time when City were threatening to make a comeback.
It was not pretty, but the last thing Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane would be worried about is how they secured the three points, especially with games coming thick and fast at a crucial phase of the season.
Without Hlompho Kekana for the first time in the league this season, Sundowns gave Tiyani Mabunda his first start of the campaign in the central midfield role but were unable to dominate that area of the pitch from the start.
In fact it was a scrappy affair until Sundowns opened the scoring through Castro, who finished from close range 14 minutes before half time.
All City offered in the first half were two harmless shots from striker Puleng Tlolane and a Jabulani Maluleke free kick which did not test Denis Onyango in the Sundowns goal.
Sundowns knew they needed to get another goal to avoid an upset here and it took them just five minutes in the second period to double their lead.
The lively Khama Billiat had his shot parried by George Chigova, but the City goalkeeper could do little to stop Castro from tapping home from the rebound.
City made things interesting as they reduced the deficit just three minutes later.
Thobani Mncwango could not believe his luck when a failed Wayne Arendse clearance fell to his feet for him to easily slot past Onyango.
Dolly, however, would have the final say with a good goal just after the hour mark.
The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder was given too much space to run into the opposition half and he gladly finished off the hosts with a well-taken low shot past Chigova.
With this win, Sundowns kept their four-point lead ahead of Bidvest Wits.
Castro leads Downs' riot
No one understands the importance of embracing responsibility more than Leonardo Castro right now.
Having welcomed a newborn baby girl a couple of weeks ago, Castro showed he can deal with the huge task at work too when he scored a double to inspire Absa Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to a 3-1 victory over Polokwane City last night.
Castro bagged a goal either side of half time while Keagan Dolly finished off the hosts with a third goal just after the hour mark, at a time when City were threatening to make a comeback.
It was not pretty, but the last thing Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane would be worried about is how they secured the three points, especially with games coming thick and fast at a crucial phase of the season.
Without Hlompho Kekana for the first time in the league this season, Sundowns gave Tiyani Mabunda his first start of the campaign in the central midfield role but were unable to dominate that area of the pitch from the start.
In fact it was a scrappy affair until Sundowns opened the scoring through Castro, who finished from close range 14 minutes before half time.
All City offered in the first half were two harmless shots from striker Puleng Tlolane and a Jabulani Maluleke free kick which did not test Denis Onyango in the Sundowns goal.
Sundowns knew they needed to get another goal to avoid an upset here and it took them just five minutes in the second period to double their lead.
The lively Khama Billiat had his shot parried by George Chigova, but the City goalkeeper could do little to stop Castro from tapping home from the rebound.
City made things interesting as they reduced the deficit just three minutes later.
Thobani Mncwango could not believe his luck when a failed Wayne Arendse clearance fell to his feet for him to easily slot past Onyango.
Dolly, however, would have the final say with a good goal just after the hour mark.
The former Ajax Cape Town midfielder was given too much space to run into the opposition half and he gladly finished off the hosts with a well-taken low shot past Chigova.
With this win, Sundowns kept their four-point lead ahead of Bidvest Wits.
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