Mamelodi Sundowns’ Diski Team are back to winning ways after a triumphant 2-1 against the Chippa United Reserves on Saturday morning at the Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha.
The pace of the game was slow in the opening minutes, but things picked up when Chippa took the ball to the right and shot from the left flank. Downs’ goalkeeper, Nqobani Biyela, however, blocked the shot.
The visitors retaliated through Oarabile Booysen, who delivered the ball into the area, intended for Simphiwe Mlondo, but Chippa intercepted and cleared the ball away. A few minutes later, Booysen created another scoring chance for his side when he made a cross into the area, but his effort was punched away.
The visitors were in control of the match as they continued to create chances. Another one came from Mlondo, who received the ball from Booysen. Mlondo took time on the ball, and by the time he pulled the trigger, the were plenty of bodies who blocked the ball.
On the counter, the hosts drove the ball to the box, but Tshiamo Masisi made a good run into the area to steal the ball off them.
In the 38th minute, Booysen finally opened the scoring for Masandawana. Kamohelo Mareletse had handed the ball to Booysen, who made a run to the area. While facing the keeper, he fired a shot that went past the keeper.
Downs almost doubled the lead just before the break when Tswelelo Maake shot from the left flank, but the keeper tipped the ball away. Booysen found the rebound, but his effort missed the target by a few inches. The visitors went to the break with a goal advantage.
Coach Tiro’s charges were struggling to clear the ball inside the opening minutes of the second half. After a mistake in the middle of the park by Downs, Chippa almost capitalised, but their effort rattled the woodwork.
The young Brazilians’ high press was forcing errors out of their opponents, and they almost capitalised on it when Mlondo hit the side net.
In the 82nd minute, after miscommunication by Downs, The Chilli Boys punished their visitors when the ball went past Biyela in a one-on-one situation. The hosts looked more convincing in the final minutes of the game. Their threatening opportunities forced a low-block out of Masandawana, but in the end, it is Siquba’s last gasp goal that saw Bafana Ba Style snatch back the lead. Maake had saved the ball from the left flank and delivered it to Khumo Mokoele, who slid it into the area. The ball was received by Mareletse, who made a backheel pass to Siquba, who beat the keeper. The goal helped Masandawana return to winning ways and walk away with maximum points.
How we lined up: Biyela ©, Sibande, Seedat, Nkabinde, Maake, Masisi, Moabelo, Mareletse, Booysen, Mlondo, Siquba.
Subs: Shabangu, Marthinus, Mokoele, Jodamus, Gaseitsiwe.
