Immediately after serving his red card suspension, Kenyan international Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela was thrusted straight back into the Mamelodi Sundowns starting eleven as the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) log leaders went in search of a fifth straight win in all competitions when they travelled to relegation threatened Baroka Swallows on Wednesday evening.Played at the Dobsonville Stadium, the Brazilians made another step towards defending their title as they thrashed Swallows 2-4 courtesy of a hat trick from star man Peter Shalulile with Bradley Ralani adding the fourth goal as the team maintained an eleven-point lead at the top of the table.A thrilling encounter in Dobsonville comes to a close and the points are coming home with The Brazilians! 👆90′ Swallows FC (16′ Solomons, 89′ Gamildien) 2️⃣➖4️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (10′, 15′, 90′ Shalulile, 28′ Ralani)#Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/ldzN504etE— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 6, 2022 In the match that saw Mandela get full minutes under his belt upon his return, Sundowns were quick to show their intent as Namibian international Shalulile bragged a brace in the opening quarter of an hour after being set up by George Maluleka on two occasions in the 10th and 15th minute.The team however conceded just one minute after extending their lead as Dillon Solomons fired into the back of the net to get Swallows back into the game. Just two minutes to the hour mark though, Ralani made a clean strike into the bottom corner to once again give Sundowns a 1-3 cushion at the break.Bafana Ba Style take a commanding lead into the half time break! 👆Swallows FC (16′ Solomons) 1️⃣➖3️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns (10′, 15′ Shalulile, 28′ Ralani)#Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/0b71yPc1bF— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 6, 2022 The second half would have to wait until the dying minutes for some goal action as Ruzaigh Gamildien pulled another goal for Swallows on the 89th minute. Shalulile however made an instant response as he tapped in a spilled attempt from the keeper to seal his hat trick and the win for Sundowns.With the win, Sundowns only need ten points from the remaining six games to defend their title.
In Zambia, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Ian Otieno featured for the full length of the game as he kept a clean sheet in Zesco United’s 0-1 victory over Forest Rangers. His national team counterpart Jesse Were, who plies his trade for Power Dynamos, was however not included in the matchday squad that lost 0-1 to Chambishi.In Tanzania, former Gor Mahia midfielder Kenneth Muguna also featured for the full length of the game but his presence alone was not enough as his Azam side were beaten at home 1-2 by league leaders Yanga FC in a Ligi Kuu Bara match staged at the Azam Complex on Wednesday evening.Mayele the hero as Yanga complete league double over Azam to go 14 points clear at the top