Mamelodi Sundowns produced an excellent team display to beat Golden Arrows 3-0 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium to secure a spot in the Wafa Wafa Cup final next month. Masandawana came into this game off the back of three successive wins in the league, and with confidence immediately stamped their authority on the game.
Downs forward Thabiso Kutumela was fired up and made his presence felt as soon as the whistle was blown by unsettling the visitors with his runs all over the park. It did not take long for the reigning Champions to lead the way, Reyaad Pieterse perfectly spotted Peter Shalulile upfront who combined with Kutumela to penetrate through Arrows’ defence. It was Kutumela’s attempt at goal that slipped from Abafana Bes’thende goalie Sifiso Mlungwana that led to Shalulile’s goal that handed Masandawana the lead in the thrilling encounter.
Both teams served early warnings of their attacking quality as Velemseni Ndwandwe traded attempts on goal immediately as a response to Sundowns’ goal, but Pieterse, who had his first start of the season in this game, swiftly brushed aside the goal attempt.
Moments of wonderful attacking football continued pouring in from Masandawana’s attackers, Slovakian striker Pavol Safranko had his moment with a brilliant header as he looked to score his second goal for Bafana Ba Style, however he was unfortunate as Mlungwana was full on duty. Downs doubled their lead just before the half hour mark when an accurate free kick by Kutumela was met by Divine Lunga in the box to ensure that Downs maintained their authority over Arrows. Lunga made his debut for the Yellow Nation in tonight’s encounter against his former mates and proved to be an asset with his excellent form on the wing.
In the middle of the park, Andile Jali showed his leadership skills as the captain of the home side, consistently winning the ball back within seconds of losing it thanks to the team’s high press, as he put in a display that earned him his second man of the match award in as many games.
Downs came out in the second half with their 2-0 lead and never looked back as the technical team sought to freshen their side up by introducing Gaston Sirino, Neo Maema, Aubrey Modiba and Sphelele Mkhulise in the second half of the encounter. Shalulile and Kutumela were roaming and proving a menace to their visitors before making their way off the field.
Golden Arrows struggled to craft clear-cut chances, despite testing Pieterse whose performance was top notch before sustaining an injury that forced him to be taken off the field when he collided with Nkosinathi Sibisi of Arrows. Ricardo Goss stepped up to the plate to take over from Pieterse’s duties after the goalkeeper was unfortunate to suffer an injury in the closing stages.
Masandawana remained a threat despite the changes that were made in the second half and continued with their exquisite performance. In additional time Maema’s well executed goal in the final moments of the match was enough to send a bold statement to anyone on the opposing side who might have doubted Downs chances of lifting the domestic trophy.
A spectacular finish by Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium earned the Champions a spot in the MTN8 Cup competition, winning the game by 3-0 against Golden Arrows.
OOOh what a game, the boys played well thanks to technical team for giving some of the boys run but not changing the winning team, I love this team yellow I remain
I wanted to see something & now I am satisfied that Safranko finished the whole game.Yoh!! that boy was outpaced by defenders, even with the ball he doesn’t know what to do with it hayi,his heading ability not to mention his shooting even when we r leading by 2 goals.Maybe when playing in Africa I’ll see an improved Safranko.Divine Lunga just fitted perfectly well , Domingo gave me what I wanted.everyone player for the love of the team.What a cracker by Maema.A great save by Peterse.In standard situation we just become a great problem when it comes to corners and free kicks for any opposition teams we are just untouchable.. I love you all Brazilians thanks for fighting for this team
Speechless,breathless,that was a master plan by the technical team,the surprised our opponents.I loved the hunger the players showed,i saw fired up Zwane,Kutumela,Shaulile De Reuck ,Jali,Lakay and Kekana.Very much impressed by Peterse’s perforfomance, his ball distribution was spot on,hope he gets well soon.Loved the confidence showed by Goss.Grant Kekana reminds of our late legend Joas,he is calm,cool and collected.Loved the donkey work Safranko is doing,some may not notice his importance in the team but,eventually they will notice it,he eases pressure on Shaulile,he puts defenders under immense pressure unlike Romeo,Shaulile always comes from deep to score goal because of Safronko,he is like Maboe most people realize his impotence when he is no playing.We are the only team in the PSL with the defenders who are confortable on the ball,so when you have players like Shaulile,Safronko,Moboe,kutumela,and Motupa pressing oppositions’ defenders non stop is easier to win a game.The cup is not yet won so, no time for complacency.
What a great analysis of the team. I was also impressed by Pieterse ball distribution. I think our players have realized that once you loose your position in the team, it’ll be difficult to get it back, hence the hunger we see from everyone. No more being in the starting eleven because of favoritism. Divine also played very well, and mind you we still have Ngobeni who is yet to be introduced.
What a first half! Zwane, Domingo, Jali…. Just fire!
Shaulile = soldier
Jali = beast
De reuk = stabilizer
Lakay = adventurer
Domingo = bee
Kutumela = worker
Zwane = string-master
Special shout out to Lunga. He played like he’s been part of the team for years. Special goal by Maema.
What a team! I was impressed by what i saw yesterday! The 3 threes wise men have managed to create a system that basically most of out players can fit into! We must rely on the system that we create and sign players to make the system work! Then it will become easier for the squad to be rotated! Pep of Man City can play all the players that he has at City to a greater effect because of the system he has created! In my own opinion i think thus where Pitso let us down as a coach! Despite all his successes at our club, he failed to create a system in which most of players could be played and rotated! We relied a lot on individual players! The system was rigid! Other players could not easily fit in!
Guys I think Sofranko is good when playing because opposition defenders forget about Shalulile just a little bit and that’s where he hurt them,did you remember at Chiefs where Radebe did all hard work only for Mbensuma to benefit.
Pls let’s give him a benefit of the doubt, the only player we must release is none other than Sirino I mean the guy his heart is no longer in Downs I even find its difficult to describe his performance nowadays.
Spot on right there Muzi, Sirino must be released, he is forever wasteful ,he passes the opponents ,he is not focused and his mind is somewhere else.
But why the coaches are fielding him (Sirino)? The way he looses possession you can bet that he is on a mission to destroy the our team! The team does not need him any more! His space has been closely effectively! He must be released outright! I do not whether is out of form or he is not thinking properly???