The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team record another victory and a clean sheet on the road after defeating the Kaizer Chiefs Reserves 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at the FNB Stadium.
The opening ten minutes were a bit sluggish, with none of the teams creating strong chances that would threaten the defense. All the chances were not being found by the respective goalkeepers.
With the pressure piling up, Masandawana caused a foul which earned the hosts a freekick. The shot taken was precise but the Downs goalkeeper, Zakhele Shabangu availed himself to snatch the ball in the air, not allowing the hosts to get a sniff of it.
The young Brazilians began to gain momentum and were showing character with their good pressing that was causing the Glamour Boys to be a bit nervy. The visitors took advantage of the nerves displayed by their rivals and sent one shot that went past the goalkeeper through Kutlwano Letlhaku. It looked like it was rolling away wide but went in to open the floodgates for coach David Notoane’s side.
Bafana Ba Style continued to pile up the pressure on their counterparts which led to a foul on the edge of the box. Taken by Bennet Mokoena, the set piece was blocked by the Chiefs wall, denying the visitors a second.
The desired second goal eventually came in the final stages of the opening half. The ball was played between Letlhaku, Mokoena and Onele Rulwana. With the Chiefs back three closing on him, he was able to find Mokoena. Mokoena made a good decision to hand it over to Letlhaku who was on the left flank and from a tight angle, he put it past the goalkeeper, again, to find the farpost and double lead. The visitors went to the interval with a two-goal advantage.
Chiefs came out to the second stanza looking stronger. Their press startled the visitors for a moment as they became creative on Masandawana’s half. Luckily Shabangu and the backline would get it right with blocking the chances from entering the box.
Before being substituted on the 70th minute, Letlhaku came close to getting his hattrick as they snatched back the dominance but couldn’t get it right. Chiefs came close to retaliating with a goal, but the ball went slightly over the bar.
The fight continued with Chiefs looking to get something but the Brazilians were steady in their defense, closing off the game with a clean sheet and three points.
How we lined up: Shabangu, Sibiya, Nkabinde, Sibande, Nkosi, Jodamus, Masisi Kekana ©, Letlhaku, Mokoena, Rulwana.
Subs: Biyela, Mampane, Ngqakabana, Booysen, Zandamela.
