Mamelodi Sundowns are advancing to the MTN8 semi-finals following a 1-0 extra time victory against Polokwane City on Sunday afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
From the time the referee blew the kick-off whistle, Masandawana were looking to assert their dominance, seeing the first chance being created five minutes into the match. It was through Lucas Ribeiro, who shot an acrobatic overhead ball to the net but was cleared by the fingertips of the opposition’s goalkeeper.
Peter Shalulile would go on to pick up from where Ribeiro left off by attacking Terrence Mashego’s cross. His ball, however, hit the woodwork. Denying them another opportunity to open the floodgates. Masandawana continued to look for a goal, but could not, as they closed off the first half with no goals on both ends of the field.
The second half saw more clear-cut chances from the Brazilians, but none of them materialised, as Rise and Shine continued with the low block. The encounter took a dramatic turn when Denis Onyango was sent off, seven minutes before regulation time ended, after getting a straight red.
With the hosts having used the full complement of players, after introducing Neo Maema, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena and Thapelo Maseko, Mosa Lebusa was forced to take matters into his own hands, wearing the goalkeeper gloves to help the team at the box. Due to the encounter being a difficult one for both sides, the game was forced to extra time. Lebusa didn’t continue at goal, as they took out Mashego to introduce shot stopper Jody February.
12 minutes into the first half of extra time, Polokwane City’s Thabang Matuludi tried to steer Teboho Mokoena’s ball away, however, he found himself slotting the ball into his own box, giving Bafana Ba Style an advantage at goal.
Nothing materialised in the second half of extra time, which meant that Downs are advancing into the semi-finals, after winning with an own goal. In the two-legged semi-finals, they will be facing Western Cape side, Stellenbosch FC, with Masandawana hosting them first before heading to Stellenbosch.
How we lined up: Onyango, Lebusa, Mokoena, Coetzee, Mashego, Mudau, Modiba, Allende, Ribeiro, Matthews, Shalulile.
Subs: February, Kekana, Morena, Nku, Mkhulise, Zwane, Mabena, Maseko, Maema.
Guys i like to tell Mnqithi not suitable person to coache big brand as Sundowns may be should try at Motsepe foundation he hasn coaching skii if recall memory he was given opportunity before Rulan he failed he is very fortunate people believe on him for what reason just like Zuma some people’s born lucky but no skill
People must learn to have some patience. Reminds me when Pitso was a coach some fans wanted his blood the rest is history.
At Mzimela, I respect your openion member , however I also feel that we can’t judge Manqoba with only one match of which even the said match he has won it. Truth is the coach is more than capable to deliver something good for the team and has a lot of experience and knows our team better than anyone now given the many years he has been there.That said , I think he must not gamble anymore, if a player has no speed nowadays, he has no place in our team especially at the back.I repeat his team selection was excellent except the two centre backs he started with who lack speed. It is difficult to play quick opponents knowing that you are compromised already by not having speed and as such you are limited to play a high line because you are compromised at the back failing which if you insist going up , you risk being hammered on counter, which is what almost happened in our last match, however we were luck to escape and thanks to Onyango for taking one for the team.
Mr Buda i respect your comments but these are 2 differents things Pitso was just hire he was building now we talk about person been in for years watch the space Sundownd will never be the same that man a failure he fail at Arrows Amazulu Chipper as well at Sundowns no skill
Mzimela maybe u forget easily Sundowns fired or demoted Mngqithi for losing against Orlando Pirates bt if my memory serves me well he was heading that 3 men coach and Sundowns won a treble &league champions so in a space of 2 seasons he won 4 trophies I don’t know whether is that called a failure.Sundowns had better ball possession even when they were one man down.Sundowns wasted a lot of opportunities in the 1st half was that a coach’s failure too.Mngqithi knows that he needs 2 fortify the defence with Johannes&Kekana maybe the job will b done then we’ve got Kodisang&Sales as they say the rest is history.The best coach 4 Sundowns is Manqoba Mngqithi period.We saw how Pirates was helped by Abongile Tom and no one would b counting Pirates in the semis bt ppl who support their coaching staff r not bothered by how their team won because a cup game is a smash and grab.