The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team were unable to get desired results against the Stellenbosch FC Reserves on Saturday afternoon in a 2-1 thriller at the Idas Valley Stadium. Their ten-game unbeaten streak came to an end before making it eleven.
Masandawana wanted to set their intentions from set when they posed an attacking threat through Kutlwano Letlhaku but his efforts were denied.
With under ten minutes played, the home team were able to register two goals. The first one came as an own goal after an attempt to clear the ball away from the box by the Sundowns side. The second one came from a mistake made by the Downs defence which saw Stellenbosch claiming the ball and driving it to the box. A shot from a tight angle was found by the home side to put the ball in the net, making it two for the hosts.
Coach Themba’s men wanted to quickly retaliate through Akhanyile Norawana who was closed in as he tried moving into the danger zone, but his efforts were cleared.
The Downs goalkeeper, Fanie Raludzingana, was tested numerous times by the young Maroons but he was able to make important saves and deny the opponent opportunities to extend their two-goal lead.
A goal shortly before the half hour mark came from the visitors. It started from the back, where the ball was lobbed over to Norawana who delivered it Keabetswe Ramotsei. Ramotsei made a defence splitting pass to Letlhaku who fired a shot at distance. The goalkeeper was able to smack it but it hit the woodwork and landed just near the post where Siyabonga Mabena was able to slot it in to make it 2-1.
The confidence on the Pretoria-based side started being evident in the pitch as they created more chances. The two sides started to play end-to-end football as they were both looking for more goals before the halftime break.
Masandawana almost found an equaliser in added time of the first half through Mabena again, but the shot slightly went wide. The visitors went to the break one goal down.
The second stanza was filled with more end-to-end football but with more chances from the Brazilians. In attempt to take the ball to their box, Stellenbosch cleared it away from a shot which landed on their half but defender Siyabonga Ndebele counterpressed and won the ball back. He then delivered it to Mabena who passed it to Letlhaku. The ball then found captain Ntando Nkosi who drove the ball to the box before firing it from a tight angle but the keeper cleared it with the tip of his fingers.
Despite the many chances created and the good football they displayed in the winelands, Bafana Ba Style were unable to register a victory. They remain first in the tally and will look to extend their lead when they face Chippa United on Sunday afternoon.
How they lined up: Raludzingana, Ndebele, Nkabinde, Mohanwe, Norawana, Nkonxeni, Khoza, Nkosi ©, Letlhaku, Mabena, Ramotsei.
Subs: Shabangu, Mampane, Mthembu, Mokoena, Masisi.
