Absa Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 5-0 Highlands Park
Date: 27 November 2016
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
A ruthless Mamelodi Sundowns went into the halftime break leading Highlands Park 4-0 at Loftus Versfeld.
The Brazilians broke the deadlock in the seventh minute, as Percy Tau dispossessed Agustine Mbara, before rifling the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The lead was doubled six minutes later as Thapelo Morena surged down the right, before teeing up Anthony Laffor, who slotted into the far corner from 12-yards out.
Gordon Igesund was not impressed with the way things were going and opted for a change on 30 minutes, as Seun Ledwaba replaced Brandon Theron.
However, Sundowns grabbed their third goal in the 35th minute, as Tau turned provider to tee up Sibusiso Vilakazi, who slotted into the bottom corner.
It was 4-0 two minutes later, as Themba Zwane cut inside before curling the ball beyond Kapini and into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Pitso Mosimane opted for a change of his own just before the break, as he withdrew Tebogo Langerman for Mzikayise Mashaba.
It wasn't all smiles for the hosts, as Ricardo Nascimento picked up an injury shortly after the restart and was replaced by Thabo Nthethe.
However, Sundowns continued from where they left off and netted a fifth goal in the 52nd minute when Rudi Isaacs deflected Tau's cross into his own net.
Highlands opted for a change on the hour mark, as Surprise Moriri replaced Collins Mbesuma, while Mbekile replaced Vilakazi for Sundowns.
The Lions of the North carved out a couple openings in the final 15 minutes, but Denis Onyango produced a couple fine saves to deny the likes Mbatha and Cale.
However, the score remained 5-0 at the full-time whistle, as Sundowns moved up to eighth spot, while Highlands remain 14th.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 36. Onyango, 6. Arendse, 4. Langerman (Mashaba 40'), 16. Nascimento (Nthethe 51'), 18. Zwane, 13. Mabunda, 27. Morena, 28. Laffor, 11. Vilakazi (Mbekile 64'), 8. Kekana, 22. Tau.
Highlands: 16. Kapini, 34. Isaacs, 22. Ngalo, 29. Mbara, Mbatha, 5. Khuboni (Koena 75'), 14. Mvala, 2. Theron (Ledwaba 29'), 42. Cale, 25. Sitayitayi, 9. Mbesuma (Moriri 59').
