Mamelodi Sundowns are sending an early warning to their Betway Premiership rivals: Bafana Ba Style are once again setting the pace.

The Brazilians strengthened their grip on the summit with a convincing 3-0 victory over Siwelele at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night, opening up a six-point lead over second-placed Orlando Pirates.

It was another statement of intent from Miguel Cardoso’s side, who are yet to taste defeat in the league and have now won their last five matches. Sundowns have collected 19 points from seven games, giving their title rivals an increasingly difficult task of keeping pace.

But this was not a victory that came easily.

Siwelele arrived in Pretoria determined to frustrate the reigning champions and, for long periods, succeeded. Sundowns controlled possession and territory but found themselves repeatedly denied by an inspired Wandile Mthombeni in the Siwelele goal.

The first half ended goalless, with Sundowns having to dig deep for the breakthrough.

Then came the moment that changed the game.

In the 58th minute, Teboho Mokoena unleashed a powerful effort from distance which Mthombeni could only parry onto the crossbar. Kutlwano Letlhaku reacted quickest to the rebound and made no mistake from close range.

The breakthrough opened the door.

The 15 time league champions began to find more space as Siwelele were forced to chase the game, and the home side eventually doubled their advantage in the 79th minute.

A poor back-pass from Aphiwe Baliti presented substitute Siyanda Ndlovu with an opportunity he could not waste. The forward pounced to score his second goal in as many matches.

With Siwelele beaten, Sundowns went looking for more.

They got it deep into stoppage time when another defensive error allowed Tashreeq Matthews to race through and delicately chip Mthombeni, completing a 3-0 victory.

The scoreline may suggest an easy night for the champions, but the performance was built on something more important than simply attacking flair, patience.

Sundowns refused to panic when Siwelele successfully closed down the spaces. They kept moving the ball, kept applying pressure and eventually forced their opponents into the mistakes that decided the match.

That is perhaps the most ominous message for their rivals.

Their victory also extended their remarkable unbeaten home run in the Betway Premiership at Loftus Versfeld to 33 matches, underlining just how difficult they have become to beat on their own turf.

The growing gap at the top will be a concern for Orlando Pirates.

The Buccaneers remain Sundowns’ closest challengers, but the Brazilians have already created breathing room at a stage of the campaign when every dropped point can become costly.

Sundowns have played two more matches than Pirates, meaning the six-point advantage does not yet tell the entire story of the title race. But momentum is a powerful weapon in football, and at the moment it belongs to the champions.

The Brazilians have six wins and one draw from seven league matches.