A solitary goal from captain Themba Zwane saw Mamelodi Sundowns secure their passage to the next round of the MTN8 with a victory over Soweto opponents Moroka Swallows at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday. The win marked a third successive victory to start the season for Masandawana.
The game started off at a high pace and saw an early flashpoint, with former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali being show a straight red card for a studs up tackle on Teboho Mokoena in midfield, which saw the visitors reduced to ten men.
The Brazilians looked to take advantage of having an extra man by lifting the tempo and pushing men into the Swallows defensive third, however they were met with a stubborn low block defence.
Downs were forced into an early substitution after fullback Khuliso Mudau pulled up with a suspected strain on his leg. Newly-signed Bathusi Aubaas joined the fray in his place as he made his Mamelodi Sundowns debut.
For the remainder of the first half the team in yellow were restricted to mostly long shots, Aubaas saw his shot go just wide of the upright, before Mokoena’s last minute strike from distance was saved by Daniel Akpeyi in goals. The two sides went into the break on level terms.
The home side started the second half with fresh intensity as they looked to break the deadlock and take the lead. Mokoena picked up where he left off as he fired another long shot towards goal, this time seeing his effort bounce just wide.
The pressure from Bafana Ba Style paid off as just three minutes after the half started they were able to take the lead through Themba Zwane who finished off a through ball from the in-form Lucas Ribiero.
After taking the lead, Sundowns pushed on for their second, with Zwane and Aubaas both coming close to doubling the lead with their efforts that were once again saved by Akpeyi, who was proving to be a thorn in Masandawana’s side.
With just under thirty minutes remaining, Masandawana suffered another injury set back as Thapelo Maseko’s afternoon was cut short after picking an injury on the attack. The forced substitution resulted in the introduction of another Masandawana debutant, Lesiba Nku.
With the game entering the closing stages, Downs looked to maintain control as the match became more open. Bongani Zungu, Peter Shalulile and youngster Siyabonga Mabena were brought on to help secure the result in the late stages.Mabena’s energy was much needed and he proved to be a threat, taking two shots and winning territory as the clock wound down.
The team held on to secure their place in the semi-finals of the MTN8 and register their third consecutive victory of the new 2023/24 season. Up next, a quick turnaround to gear up for more league action against Golden Arrows at home.
How we lined up: Williams, Mudau, Kekana, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende Maema, Zwane, Ribeiro, Maseko.
Subs. D. Onyango, B. Onyango, Aubaas, Nku, Mabena, Mbule, Shalulile, Zungu, Mashego
What a disappointing game again against a 10 man team. Our midfield is still a problem, very much slow when breaking, just making those unnecessary passes that do not go anywhere. Rhulani needs to force them to watch Pirates to learn how football should be played. Lebusa looks like our best defender all of a sudden. I hear people talk about Kekana, but I don’t see anything special on him. I’m happy that Rhulani will be forced to deploy him on the right since Mudau is injured because in central defence he looks scary.
The game was painful to watch on the eye!! I don’t think there is anything wrong with our players!! The style of play that Rulani is trying to introduce is the one that is confusing the players!! What change the system that the players are used to?? The players look very confused and I’m not surprised because these experiments that are being implemented by Rulani it’s just nonsense!!
Sundowns confused themselves by appointing this boy ,Rhulani hayi hayi changing system because of what?Sundowns wasted millions bringing Maseko bringing what dimension?Someone who receives the ball and leave two people in good space and go over the by line and make a stupid cross for a corner kick the whole game.I believe grooming our Mabena is the best thing than seeing this boy making a high speed football and fooling him(Maseko)by clapping and whistling throughout the game. I keep on wondering when do these injuries happen at Sundowns, because Sirino and Nasir played in the meaningless substitutions against Wydad. Erasmus was injury prone at Sundowns according to Sundowns technical team but at Pirates completed the whole season and contributed to 2 trophies.Domingo is injury prone at Sundowns, Casablanca bought the same player who gets injured every now and then. Do we need the public protector to do investigations on this matter?Rhulani didn’t want Steve and Mngqithi just to prove a point that he is clever and smarter than them otherwise its the same football and the gear that Sundowns started last season with.I believe watching yesterday’s game was an eye saw and a lot of bile having negative football and hopeless ball possession with such an early red card I mean who is Moroka Swallows ?Rhulani you know how to play with our emotions shame.Once we r knocked out of the MTN8 it will be an excuse that this cup is a pre season tournament and the bigger prize is the Cnampions League once we are knocked out in the champions league it will be inexperience,SAVELELWA BO….
Kutumela is gone!!!! Brian Onyango should follow
Not a great match but not the worst either….swallows also played well…Allende and Modiba were the standout performers. Allende is really smooth…it concerns me though how flippant we are getting these yellow cards…so casual about it its unbelievable. We already have around 10 yellows in 3 matches. Wishing the team luck against Arrows.
What was reason to change playing system after play well last season just like that unnecessary players addition no need of new player Sundowns supposed to continues with same players and same systems last seasons systems were very gud i wonder why start with new play instead of give them few minute towards to the end until get used that boy Maseko doesn’t team work just hold ball until loose
I think most teams have figured us out, like they normally say it’s easy to plan against. I think it’s necessary to tweak the system especially this early in the season. Every change is not comfortable, let’s hope the’ll master it & produce a fluid play again.