Dutch coach Johan Neeskens had nothing but praise for his Mamelodi Sundowns side after they recorded the largest win in South African history on Sunday.

Sundowns beat fourth-tier side Powerlines FC 24-0 in a cup match, having led by ten goals at half-time.

The result bettered two 16-0 victories by Durban club AmaZulu in 1976 and 1986, both of which came in the cup.

“I want to compliment my players for entertaining the public and going about their job seriously,” said Neeskens.

“There was no ‘gallery’ football because they know I will not tolerate that.”

Neeskens, a midfielder in the Netherlands teams who lost the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals, backed his decision to brutally expose Powerlines during a cup tie televised live throughout Africa.

“My instructions were to score as many goals as possible,” said the former Barcelona assistant coach, who joined Sundowns in the middle of last year.

“This result is good for our confidence and what I really admired was the way the team kept it simple even when dominant.”

Played in swelteringly-hot conditions in Kimberley, midfielder Hlompho Kekana finished the game with seven goals, Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Mushekwi notched six while fellow striker Richard Henyekane bagged five.

It could have been even more embarrassing for the home side as Sundowns had two goals disallowed and rattled the crossbar once as they cruised into the last 16 of the annual competition.

Powerlines goalkeeper Thabang Louw wore a surprisingly broad smile after the game, telling reporters he was determined to learn from “a very tough experience” against Sundowns.

The record margin of victory in African football is the 149-0 defeat by Malagasy club AS Adema over Stade Olympique Emyrne, with the latter deliberately scoring endless own goals to protest a refereeing decision.