Goals from Kutlwano Letlhaku, Ntando Nkosi and Matlhatsi Mampane have helped the Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team secure an important 3-2 win against the Cape Town City Reserves on Saturday morning at the Tuks Stadium, to continue with their DStv Diski Challenge title chase.
The five-goal thriller in Pretoria was Masandawana’s fourth successive win since their draw against the Golden Arrows Reserves in February, but they had to put the hard work against City to ensure that they get the desired results.
In the first half, the Brazilians were assured in possession and were dominating their visitors by seeking to squeeze space. In the early minutes of the match, Siyabonga Mabena fired a long-range shot but the ball was blocked by the City goalkeeper.
Another crucial chance followed after Thando Buthelezi was fouled just inches away from the box. A free kick was awarded to the home side which was taken by Malibongwe Khoza but slightly went over the bar.
Shortly before the half hour mark, an intricate passage of play saw Coach Themba’s men opening the floodgates through Kutlwano Letlhaku. The ball being driven to the box by Akhanyile Norawana, found Onele Rulwana, who then gifted the ball to an awaiting Letlhaku, who is now on his eighth goal of the season.
The home side had a fortunate escape when Thabo Nkabinde’s execution was intercepted by Cape Town City. Nkabinde’s resilience saw him quickly recover the ball to find the Downs packing players. The devious pair, Letlhaku and Rulwana moved the recovered ball to the box effortlessly but couldn’t finish and double the lead for their side.
Another self-inflicted error saw Masandawana have a fortunate escape. The visitors were awarded a free kick after a foul. The set piece was cleared away by defender, Malibongwe Khoza.
The Downs captain, Ntando Nkosi, who we were missing last week, created more havoc when he doubled his side’s lead by dispatching a stunning shot from long range that rocketed the net before the halftime break. The hosts went to the halftime break two goals up.
Cape Town City went into the second stanza more fired up as they looked for a goal. The visitors reduced the arrears in the early minutes of the second half after breaking Downs’ defence line.
It didn’t take long for City to equalise and make it two from a cross after they were awarded a free kick. The free kick was cleared but Downs couldn’t keep it away from the box which costed them their lead.
Bafana Ba Style’s resilience helped them snatch back the lead not so long after the City equaliser. The play started with Buthelezi whose chance awarded his side a corner kick. The kick taken by Letlhaku, who has been dubbed as one of the team’s set piece taker, found Mampane who slotted it nicely to find the net. A few more chances from Coach Themba’s charges came, including a header by Khoza that hit the woodwork.
There was a big scare for Masandawana on the stroke of full time when a Fanie Raludzingana clearance was intercepted by City just outside the danger zone. Luckily the shot taken missed the box by a few inches wide.
It made for a nervy closing second half but the hosts showed patience to see off the Cape Town side. Their lead could have been extended but they had to settle for the three-goal victory.
How we lined up: Raludzingana, Nkosi ©, Khoza, Mampane, Nkabinde, Rulwana, Norawana, Mabena, Buthelezi, Kekana, Letlhaku.
Subs; Mohlabine, Mohanwe, Mthembu, Nkonxeni, Ramotsei.
It’s a tough challenge…but the teams looks good…pirates is on form too…it seems we coming good after slight slump….let’s go for it…