The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team engineered a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Amazulu Reserves on Sunday afternoon at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.
From the time the game kicked off, it was clear that the visitors meant business and their main objective was to take the three points home. The first real chance came from Sundowns in the early minutes of the game through Kutlwano Letlhaku but the ball went over the bar. It was Thando Buthelezi who set it up for Siyabonga Mabena, who tried to score, but the Amazulu goalkeeper cleared the ball with his feet. Letlhaku quickly found the rebound but couldn’t find the back of the net as the ball looped of the bar.
The first yellow card of the game was handed to Downs’ goalkeeper, who was trying to clear a dangerous chance created by the hosts, but in the process he fouled the opponent. Usuthu were awarded a free-kick for the foul but the ball was too high.
Masandawana were knocking for an opener and it didn’t take long for them to find it. It started with Letlhaku who delivered the ball to Mabena to position himself well. Mabena returned the ball to Letlhaku who saw a clear chance to score but the goalkeeper hit the ball away. The ball landed on Mabena’s feet and he found the back of the net, stunning the goalkeeper.
A second goal from the Brazilians did not take time to follow through Onele Rulwana. The Amazulu defence had closed Coach Themba’s troops in in the area as they were making short passes to each other for a breakthrough. Letlhaku managed to connect the ball to Rulwana who fired it into the box to extend the lead for his side. The visitors headed to the half time break two goals ups.
Heading to the second half of the match, the Brazilians were not satisfied with the scoreline, they were looking for more goals. A big chance came sooner for them through Gomolemo Kekana’s pressing. He passed the ball to Buthelezi who slotted the ball in the box but the off-side flag was raised.
Amazulu started to fight back and created more chances than they did in the first half but they were struggling to find the target. They also started to apply pressure on their opponents but they were struggling.
A mistake was made by the goalkeeper outside the Sundowns area which almost costed the team but defender, Thabo Nkabinde was able to clear it away with a long shot that Letlhaku snatched from his opponent in the final third. Letlhaku drove the ball past the goalkeeper and slotted the ball inside to make it three. Coach Themba’s men were not satisfied with the three goals and were looking for more but the fulltime whistle was blown before they could find more goals.
How we lined up: Raludzingana, Mampane, Norawana, Khoza ©, Nkabinde, Mohanwe, Kekana, Buthelezi, Rulwana, Mabena, Letlhaku.
Subs: Mohlabine, Mattera, Mthembu, Khoele, Masisi.
