Newcomer Nku nets twice as Sundowns thrash Arrows in South Africa
Lesiba Nku marked his first start for Mamelodi Sundowns with two goals in a 4-0 South African Premiership drubbing of Golden Arrows in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old close season signing from relegated Marumo Gallants struck the second and fourth goals with Namibian Peter Shalulile and Grant Kekana also netting. Sundowns, seeking a seventh consecutive league title, were two goals ahead midway through the first half, led 3-0 at half-time, and scored again just three minutes into the second half.
A dominant performance against outclassed opponents gave table-toppers Sundowns a three-point lead over Cape Town City after just three rounds. "Having been told that I was in the starting line-up, I promised coach Rulani (Mokwena) a goal, so I am thrilled to have scored twice," said man-of-the-match award winner Nku.
Mokwena said: "We have played better, but I was encouraged by the way we took our chances. I liked the fact that two of our goals came after set pieces." Arrows co-coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi was frank: "We were terrible. The only consolation was that after a disastrous opening half, we improved slightly."