Mamelodi Sundowns crush Kaizer Chiefs in season opener

Mamelodi Sundowns' embarrassment of riches showed the contrast to the situation at Kaizer Chiefs, in the Brazilians' 3-0 DStv Premiership victory at FNB Stadium yesterday.

New signing Peter Shalulile took advantage of a goalkeeping error from Itumeleng Khune to score his first goal at Sundowns for a 37th-minute lead. Another new man, Kermit Erasmus, made it 2-0 on debut in the 54th minute. Themba Zwane struck the third from the spot in the 88th minute.

As champions Sundowns introduced firepower off their bench, Chiefs' new coach Gavin Hunt brought on youngsters Keletso Sifama and debutant Lebohang Lesako.

Both sets of coaches made three changes. Hunt brought in Leonardo Castro at centre-forward from his team's 2-1 MTN8 quarterfinal win over Maritzburg United. He had Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama back from suspension in midfield.

Sundowns' Manqoba Mngqithi, Steve Komphela and Rulani Mokwena brought in Thapelo Morena at right-back, Andile Jali in midfield and Erasmus upfront from their 1-0 quarterfinal defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic.

Hunt needs time to impose his direct, tough pattern that has yielded trophies everywhere he has coached. He might also have a private concern, one he might not express readily in public, that Chiefs over-achieved with the squad they have in finishing second under predecessor Ernst Middendorp last season.

A transfer ban by Fifa has left Chiefs - generally frugal in the market - watching from the sidelines as big-three rivals Sundowns and Orlando Pirate have hoovered up deals in Covid-19 economic conditions.

Hunt has ageing players and a squad that needs refreshing.

But he's not allowed to do it. So his ability to work with limited resources, get the best from players, and introduce youth, is going to be tested in this first season at a glamour club.

Sundowns' Rivaldo Coetzee, Hlompho Kekana and Andile Jali almost too easily out-muscled their Amakhosi midfield counterparts. Downs' forwards profited from that.

A shaky performance throughout from Chiefs' keeper Khune contributed to Sundowns taking a goal lead to the break.

Chiefs right-back Reeve Frosler's early punt from deep in his half found the run of Khama Billiat, who cracked a first-time volley at Denis Onyango.

Sundowns then took control. Captain Kekana first tested Khune from where few would have the audacity to, cracking a strike from an impossible angle from outside the area on the right that the ex-Bafana Bafana keeper awkwardly pushed for a corner.

Khune came far out of his area to intercept an upfield chip, miscued his kick and found Shalulile metres in front of him, but the latter's lob was not well hit and allowed Ramahlwe Mphahlele to get back and clear.

Khune then came and stretched an arm but missed from Coetzee's corner from the left, Shalulile connecting with a shoulder to open his account at his new club.

Sundowns won the lion's share of the ball after the break. Erasmus fed Zwane to force a close-range stop from Khune. Erasmus struck the rebound low inside the upright.

The third goal was scored after substitute George Maluleka, fed through by Zwane, was brought down by former clubmate Khune, allowing Zwane to slot from the spot.