Mamelodi Sundowns remained at the top of the DStv Premiership table courtesy of a 1-0 win over Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday night.
Neo Maema scored the only goal as Bafana Ba Style grabbed three points at the home of AmaKhosi. It was the The Brazilians who made the early breakthrough with a scramble for the ball inside Chiefs box, Themba Zwane’s shot took a deflection as the ball went out for the first corner in the match. The defending Champions took control of the ball for most parts of the first fifteen minutes of the game and racked up possession.
The Glamour Boys found their way in the attacking area towards Ronwen Williams, however the ball was regained by Masandawana’s defenders who started to build up from the back. Khuliso Mudau pushed the ball out of the criss and headed towards the box where Peter Shalulile collected the ball and linked up with Neo Maema, the 27-year old released a thunder shot past Itumeleng Khune and put Downs ahead.
On a night where Sundowns had to show patience, the visitors dominated play and continued to press forward and displayed their quality. Keagan Dolly of Kaizer Chiefs made an effort towards Williams, but his shot at goal went past the goalposts. It was in the 30th minute when Dolly came close to goal again for AmaKhosi but his effort met the side of the goalposts with Williams looking to collect the ball.
Bafana Ba Style were awarded a free kick with the game approaching half time, Teboho Mokoena stepped up to take the opportunity and his long range shot went over Khune. Chiefs had their share of chances to equalize before the break, at 45 minutes a cross from the right side of the pitch nearly found Bimenyimana Caleb who was in the box, but the striker was unable to connect with the ball as Masandawana took the lead into the half time break.
The home team came back into the game looking determined to find a goal, Chiefs immediately made an impact through their trusted striker Caleb who was in the eighteen area but Downs defenders intervened before he could take a shot. Ashley du Preez looked to finish off the loose ball, but hit the side of the net and Williams restarted play from the back.
Bafana Ba Style stepped up the intensity as the game headed towards 60 minutes, Cassius Mailula came close to goal after he penetrated through the defenders using his skills but dragged his shot just wide to the side of the net.
Mshishi layed off a good chance for Namibian international Shalulile inside the box but the striker’s header fell to the opposition as they cleared the ball out of their box.
Sundowns introduced Gaston Sirino in the 70th minute, followed by Sipho Mbule, Erwin Saavedra and Thapelo Morena. Masandawana made a breakthrough when Sirino charged towards goal and slightly beat Chiefs goalie with his attempt going centimeters past goal.
The home team responded with a threatening attack with ten minutes left to play at Soccer City but Reeve Frosler’s attempt had no results for his team. Masandawana extended their lead atop the DStv Premiership to a splendid 17 points in the domestic league.
How we lined up:
Williams, Modiba (90′ Morena), Kekana, Mudau, Mokoena, Allende (90′ Mkhulise), Zwane © (77′ Saavedra), Mailula (77′ Mbule), Shalulile (70′ Sirino), Maema, Mvala.
Subs:
D Onyango, De Reuck, Ralani, Ngobeni, Sirino, Mbule, Mkhulise, Morena, Saavedra.
It was not good game especially second half we struggle lot. but all in all we got three points and what champion do. in the middle it seems like we need jali to stubilize the midfield and mvala struggle alot first half but I’m happy we won thanks boys and the technical team kaboyellow
Thanks for the win but pls our coach don’t pin all your hope on Shalulile and Mailula we need a striker before the window period shut down soon.
Another thing Mokoena needs someone to partner in the middlefield someone like Jali,Maboe or Riva because playing him alone we are exposing our defenders and lastly Zwane is not a striker I was hoping Ralani would play.
Modiba is really poor in defending he’s only good in attacking,if Terrence Mashego is still injured let’s play Lebusa on that side because he used to play there while at Ajax Cape Town or recall Divine Lunga from Arrows,our opponents now they know which side to expose Sundowns, rightback we are fine there’s Mudau and Morena we may blame Mvala but the problem starts at Modiba and our coaches pls tell our goalkeeper to stop being too casual when he’s having the ball oneday it will be a disaster because of his attitude.
Rowan is too casual for my liking! He always looking to play the ball short even if they are players who have taken good positions upfront! Even playing short passes central is very risky, rather go side ways! I wonder what the coaches are saying to the goal keeper because he seems to repeat those mistakes mistakes time and again! Yes Modiba is weak in defending and he does not have a speed! I agree on this but playing Mvala ahead of Rushine or Grant is suicidal for Rulani I can tell you guys! Mvala’s problems are too fold. His first touch on the ball is poor and secondly he he commits himself in tackles and he misses them badly! The way he was beaten by that Chiefs’ young boy Duba exposed his weaknesses! How can a clear defender miss such a tackle? He could have sherpered that out if touch line even if he did not win the game!! Mokoena needs another central midfielder to help in that space as well!
Congrats to coach and the technical team and players as well for the nice victory.Maema ,what a highly talented and technical boy , his shots have excellent curls mostly made abo Mbappe, Messie, etc. We need to fix the midfield though, we have been winning for the past 2 to 3 matches with a shaky midfield.Kby
I think yesterday we needed a win &we got it ,take 3 points &go home.I believe we took too long to make a substitution and what was required by Kaizer Chiefs was to attack us and absorb the pressure.Grinding a result is part of the game.But again taking away Shalulile&Zwane was what killed us.I believe taking out Mailula&Allende was the going to be the best solution as Shalulile is a point of reference when it comes to attacking especially if u r bringing on Sirino,I think coaches lost it there.But again fortifying the midfield with those substitutes was what first came to the coaches.Had it was a team like Kaiser Chiefs it was going to be a big noise, what about us making a big noise by beating Chiefs, they just forget about how much they were under pressure but the way they won.Twelve successive wins is not a child’s play,can we celebrate that, yes I also miss Jali too,Modiba is not a defender at all,Terance Mashego&Ngobeni should take that position as left back.