Mamelodi Sundowns produced another fine display to beat SuperSport United 1-0 in the Tshwane derby on Monday night.
The first chance at goal fell the way of Matsatsantsa, Patrick Maswanganyi fired a long range shot on target that forced Masandawana’s goalie Ronwen Williams to make an early save.
The defending Champions regrouped superbly, picking up where they left off after their previous game in the DStv Premiership. Aubrey Modiba took his chance at George Chigova, however his effort was cleared by the defensive work of Kegan Johannes as the ball took a deflection and went out for a corner.
After a few minutes of attack minded football from both teams, United came close to goal through Maswanganyi once again, the 24-year old forward saw his shot at goal go wide past Williams’ goal posts. Masandawana produced a scintillating performance heading towards the 20th minute of play, Marcelo Allende curled his free kick shot towards the far post to find the head of Rushine De Reuck who misdirected his chance slightly wide past the top post of United.
Just after the half hour mark in the Derby, Gaston Sirino played some exceptional one- and two-touch football with De Reuck.The Uruguay international put in the final cross inside the box with Themba Zwane looking to finish off the pass, but the ball went fast past Mshishi before he could connect to finish off.
Just at the stroke of halftime with the game looking to go into the break with no goals, Neo Maema put Bafana Ba Style ahead with a composed finish to break the deadlock between the two Tshwane rivals.
The visitors looked to equalize as early as possible when the second half resumed, after ten minutes of open play Williams was tested in his box with an in-swinging free kick from the right but United’s effort was superbly saved. The Brazilians once again excelled, Maema worked tirelessly to collect the loose ball on the edge towards the attacking area, but found his curled effort going above Chigova’s bar!
Masandawana made changes as the clock struck 65 minutes, Sirino made his way off for Peter Shalulile, followed by Cassius Mailula and Allende who made an exchange with Sipho Mbule and Thabiso Kutumela at 72 minutes. Another goal felt certain for The Brazilians and it nearly arrived in the form of a swift shot from Shalulile who got on the end of a loose back pass and tried to steal one in from a tight angle which went across the face of goal.
The Namibian international created several promising openings and was dangerous on the break, forcing Chigova to make crucial saves as the game drew to a close. Masandawana continue with their unbeaten run in the domestic league and remain top of the log with 43 points.
How we lined up:
Williams, Modiba (90′ Ngobeni), De Reuck, Mudau, Mokoena (90′ Kekana), Allende (72′ Mbule), Maema, Zwane ©, Mailula (72 Kutumela), G. Sirino (65′ Shalulile), M. Mvala.
Subs:
D Onyango, Kekana, Shalulile, Ralani, Ngobeni, Sirino, Mbule, Saavedra, Kutumela.
Good win masandawana considering that Supersport was coming to us, but what is important is points in the bag
Good win, but very difficult game, we can see that our players start to get tired, specially in second half, because they have played many games. Why Jali is not playing? We will loose him again like Erasmus, because of lack of game. He is one of our best players. Kutumela, the favorite of Rhulani is back, everyone can see how he is not Sundowns material, but the technical team still have trust him. But, for me since this player is in Sundowns, he never convinced me, he should be transferred to another team, he is wasting Sundowns money for nothing.
Good win, but very difficult game, we can see that our players start to get tired, specially in second half, because they have played many games. Why Jali is not playing? We will loose him again like Erasmus because of lack of game. He is one of our best players. Kutumela, the favorite of Rhulani is back, everyone can see how he is not Sundowns material, but the technical team still trust him. But, for me, since this player is in Sundowns, he never convinced me, he should be transferred to another team, he is wasting Sundowns money for nothing.
Good win for the boys but it’s seems we are struggling towards the end of the second half!! Supersport had chances to score but they couldn’t take them!! It seems we are surviving on lucky not to concede! The team is winning but there is something that is not working well in this machine! I feel as well the combination of Rushine and Grant in the central defense was always good and there was no need to bring in Mvala. Mvala can be used as a cover for the two not as a starter!! He has got this weakness of missing crucial tackles!! Even in the central midfield I think Jali can do better if he paired with Mokoena and then let Allende go wide to compete with Serino etc
In the next Shalulile should start as a Centre forward! Cassius can play a double ten with Zwane or go to the wings!!
Very good team work… Ssport came to play and made us run… It’s good for out fitness levels… Shout out to Zwane… He has energy… He was running… Maema was tops on the day… Allende very good. The team was tested… Good luck against Chiefs