League champions Sundowns brush Arrows aside

Goals either side of halftime from Hlompho Kekana and Sibusiso Vilakazi and a Themba Zwane strike 18 minutes from time means the Brazilians are up to 10 points from five games, having played between three and five games less than everyone in the league else due to their participation in the CAF Champions League.

Even without the rested Khama Billiat and Keagan Dolly in the line-up, it turned out to be a comfortable evening for Pitso Mosimane as he saw his side outplay and outmanoeuvre Clinton Larsen’s men.

The first 20 minutes saw the Tshwane side dictating all the play, but they couldn’t create any chances on goal, the only opportunity of that period seeing Arrows’ Andile Fikizolo firing wide at the near post after a seventh minute counter attack.

Finally Sundowns were able to get some efforts around the half hour mark, but Anthony Laffor’s drive went straight at visiting keeper Maximilian Mbaeva before Ricardo Nascimento flashed a header a yard wide.

The Brazilians kept Abafana bes’Thende on the back-foot with further efforts from Tiyani Mabunda, who wasn’t far off with a volley, before Kekana’s pile-driver from brilliantly saved by Mbaeva.

It was from the resultant corner that the home side finally broke the deadlock, Kekana cleverly flicking home Percy Tau’s flat delivery at the near post on 41 minutes.

Mbaeva had done well in the first half, but he cost the Durban side a second goal nearly immediately after the break – after failing to catch Laffor’s cross, the ball was fired in by Tebogo Langerman, hitting Sibusiso Vilakazi five yards out and deflecting into goal.

Sundowns never really looked troubled by Arrows’ efforts on attack and they were to get a further insurance goal on 71 minutes when Mbaeva allowed Tau’s cross to slip through his fingers which gave Themba Zwane a simple tap in, allowing Masandawana to cruise to the finish line.