Peter Shalulile may have turned into a peripheral figure at Mamelodi Sundowns this season but he is still showing his importance to the Brazilians after masterminding their 4-0 victory over Golden Arrows on Sunday.
As it has been for most of this season, Shalulile started on the bench as Sundowns hosted Arrows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium but things did not go to plan and just 36 minutes in, coach Miguel Cardoso had enough and made changes.
Sphelele Mkhulise was the unfortunate player who had to be taken off before halftime with Shalulile coming on at a time Sundowns were labouring to break down a stubborn Arrows.
It did not take long before ‘Shasha’ made his presence felt as in the 42nd minute, Sundowns got a penalty won by him.
The Shalulile show starts
A great ball lofted over the Arrows defence found the Namibian striker in acres of space in the box and he headed directly at Arrows Ugandan goalkeeper Ismael Watenga who saved with his feet but Shalulile was there to meet the rebound.
He was fouled by Watenga as he attempted to hit the ball, leading to a penalty which was converted by Lucas Ribeiro.
The Shalulile show continued in the second half as in the 64th minute, he was on the end of a swift team move.
Shalulile started the move, passing the ball to Ribeiro and the Brazilian found Iqram Rayners, the former Stellenbosch striker spotted the Namibian in the box and squared the ball to him.
‘Shasha’ & Ribeiro torment Arrows
The 31-year-old controlled the ball before volleying home for 2-0 as Sundowns took control of the game.
Sundowns should have been celebrating a fourth goal soon after when substitute and new signing Jayden Adams found Ribeiro in the box but the Brazilians could not head home at the back post.
Ten minutes from time, Shalulile got his second and Sundowns’ third from another great team move, Ribeiro beating his markers before finding him in the box and he scored from close range.
A fourth one should have been scored by Ribeiro who found himself through on goal with the goalkeeper to beat and after rounding off Watenga, he was caught in two minds, unable to pull the trigger and the custodian took the ball off his feet.
Where are Sundowns on the table?
However, Sundowns were not to be denied a fourth one as Teboho Mokoena put the gloss on the scoreline in some sublime fashion.
The midfielder fired home a ferocious shot from outside the box and via a deflection, the ball beat Watenga for 4-0.
Shalulile has now scored eight goals in all competitions for Sundowns this season, taking his tally for the club to 105, and continues to answer his critics in the best way he knows how.
Following the win, Sundowns regained their six-point lead at the top of the table, taking their tally to 36 from 13 games, with Orlando Pirates on 30 from 12.
