Sundowns extend Betway Premiership lead with victory against Pirates

The win was a huge morale booster for the Brazilians in the race for the league title, while it was a blow for the Soweto-based club.

After 15 matches, Downs sit at the summit of the table with 42 points, while Pirates are in second place with 33 points.

The hosts had a perfect first half, getting an early goal through Grant Kekana, before Lucas Ribeiro made it 2-0 in the 27th minute.

Ribeiro scored his brace in the second half, while Teboho Mokoena sealed the game with a beautiful goal, leaving the Buccaneers with no chance of a comeback.

Pirates tried to devise a plan to get back into the game by playing promising passes going forward, but things just weren't going their way, with many of their chances going to waste.

The opening minutes of the game seemed to be open for both teams, but it was Sundowns who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, with Grant Kekana putting his side ahead from a set-piece.

Downs took charge of the game and almost got a third goal through Lucas Suarez, but Bucs goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made a good save.

In the second half, Pirates were desperate to get a goal, and their prayers were answered when Hotto pulled one back to make it 2-1 in the 57th minute, giving the visitors hope of staging a comeback.

But Sundowns were eager to win the game, and Ribeiro registered his brace two minutes later. Mokoena then made it 4-1 with a scorching goal in the 78th minute.

From then on, Sundowns took full control of the game, and they could have scored more goals, while Pirates' efforts to come back were futile.