The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team completed a hard-earned victory against the Orlando Pirates Reserves following a 1-0 thriller on Sunday afternoon at the Giant Stadium in another DStv Diski Challenge festival. It was Onele Rulwana’s heroics in goal that earned the Brazilians a victory at home.
The first chance at goal came from the Buccaneers who were trying to find the net but the Downs defence were quick to respond with a clearance.
Coach Themba’s charges created plenty of chances. The first one came through Siyabonga Mabena who set the ball up perfectly for Keabetswe Ramotsei, however, the tight angle in which he received the ball couldn’t allow him to find the back of the net.
The visitors were equally aggressive, as they also created chances but our defence was denying them an opener. An attempt came following a corner kick awarded to Pirates but the Downs defender, Thabo Nkabinde put his body in the line to block the ball from going in the box. The Downs defence took charge at the back with clearing most of Pirates’ chances.
A threatening chance came from downs in the last few minutes of the first half where a scramble happened in the danger box but the Pirates goalkeeper quickly cushioned the ball. The two sides went to the half time break deadlocked at 0-0 with tension in the air.
The second half kicked off with a corner kick awarded to the home side but the attempt at goal was not fruitful. With a relentless Orlando Pirates side wanting to draw first blood, Masandawana needed to find the back of the net to boost their confidence. The home side kept fighting and creating more chances.
With the game becoming physical, marching orders were given to a Sundowns midfielder after a tackle on a Pirates player, leaving the home side with 10 men in the pitch.
Coach Themba introduced fresh legs to boost their chances of scoring an opener. The first two substitutions he made fitted perfectly into the already fighting squad. Another chance was set nicely when Ramotsei quickly pushed the ball into the danger box. Pirates made an interception before it became a goal but luckily Malibongwe Khoza snatched back the ball to set up Letlhaku but the ball went over the crossbar.
With a few minutes left in added time, substitute Onele Rulwana scored the opener for his side after he speedily took the ball to the box and went past the Pirates goalkeeper to kill the game. Masandawana collected the maximum points and will be looking to continue this streak in their upcoming games.
How we lined up: Raludzingana, Mohanwe, Khoza, Ndebele, Nkabinde, Nkonxeni, Ramotsei, Mabena, Buthelezi, Nkosi ©, Letlhaku.
Subs: Shabangu, Rulwana, Norawana, Mthembu, Kekana.
