A SECOND successive defeat at home would have been too much for the Mamelodi Sundowns fans to take, but the Brazilians bounced back with a stylish 2-0 win against struggling AmaZulu here yesterday.
It wasn't pretty from Pitso Mosimane's men in the first half, but a much-improved performance after the break made it look too easy for Downs.
Striker Cuthbert Malajila stood out and paid back the coach for giving him his first start of the season with two goals that reflected his prowess as a fox in the box.
The build-up to both goals showed just what the Absa Premiership league champions can do when in their element.
Tebogo Langerman, who had not been the fans' favourite until the hour mark, found space on the left wing and sent through a timely cross for Malajila who headed in powerfully past Tapuwa Kapini, the AmaZulu keeper.
Almost from a similar position, golden oldie and captain for the day Surprise Moriri delivered what could be the assist of the season for Malajila. Moriri used the outside of his boot to pick out Malajila with a perfect curling cross that the striker buried with his head to complete his brace.
Yesterday afternoon's encounter was definitely turned around by the probable rollicking Mosimane gave his men at half-time as he urged them to return to winning ways following a humiliating 3-0 loss to Orlando Pirates at this venue four days earlier.
Sundowns had continued their slow start to the season and were sitting on four points from the same number of league games, and Mosimane had not been amused.
He again rang the changes, one forced by the absence of skipper and defender Alje Schut, who was injured in midweek. But you would have put money on Downs thrashing Usuthu here, having scored nine goals in two league games against AmaZulu last season.
It could also have been a romp had they taken their chances - Malajila squandering an opportunity to grab his hat-trick and Moriri seeing his first-half header cleared off the line.
Usuthu coach Craig Rosslee must have been on edge, having yet to win a match this season
l At Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Platinum Stars drew 0-0 with Bloemfontein Celtic.
l For log update see Page 25
Downs find their feet
A SECOND successive defeat at home would have been too much for the Mamelodi Sundowns fans to take, but the Brazilians bounced back with a stylish 2-0 win against struggling AmaZulu here yesterday.
It wasn't pretty from Pitso Mosimane's men in the first half, but a much-improved performance after the break made it look too easy for Downs.
Striker Cuthbert Malajila stood out and paid back the coach for giving him his first start of the season with two goals that reflected his prowess as a fox in the box.
The build-up to both goals showed just what the Absa Premiership league champions can do when in their element.
Tebogo Langerman, who had not been the fans' favourite until the hour mark, found space on the left wing and sent through a timely cross for Malajila who headed in powerfully past Tapuwa Kapini, the AmaZulu keeper.
Almost from a similar position, golden oldie and captain for the day Surprise Moriri delivered what could be the assist of the season for Malajila. Moriri used the outside of his boot to pick out Malajila with a perfect curling cross that the striker buried with his head to complete his brace.
Yesterday afternoon's encounter was definitely turned around by the probable rollicking Mosimane gave his men at half-time as he urged them to return to winning ways following a humiliating 3-0 loss to Orlando Pirates at this venue four days earlier.
Sundowns had continued their slow start to the season and were sitting on four points from the same number of league games, and Mosimane had not been amused.
He again rang the changes, one forced by the absence of skipper and defender Alje Schut, who was injured in midweek. But you would have put money on Downs thrashing Usuthu here, having scored nine goals in two league games against AmaZulu last season.
It could also have been a romp had they taken their chances - Malajila squandering an opportunity to grab his hat-trick and Moriri seeing his first-half header cleared off the line.
Usuthu coach Craig Rosslee must have been on edge, having yet to win a match this season
l At Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Platinum Stars drew 0-0 with Bloemfontein Celtic.
l For log update see Page 25
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