It was a great day at the office for the Mamelodi Sundowns’ Diski Team following their 2-0 victory over the Sekhukhune United Reserves on Saturday morning at TuksStadium. Siybonga Mabena and Gomolemo Kekana’s heroics helped coach Tiro van Rooyen’s charges secure a win at home.
The encounter was not promising for the hosts, especially after they secured only a point the last time the two sides met. One thing was certain: the young Brazilians were not going to rest on their laurels in what was a physically demanding meeting.
With a clean record at home, Masandawana looked to keep that, and they did when they kept their opponents on their toes as they dominated the game. The first real chance of the match came from Kamohelo Mareletse when he made a backheelpass in the area, but there was unfortunately no one to connect and finish.
After knocking on the door hard and finally managing to break Babina Noko’s tight line, Mabena broke the deadlock for Downs in the 35th minute from a beautiful build-up. Debutant Karabo Modika delivered a ball that caught the opponents off guard to Oarabile Booysen. While he could have taken a chance on the right flank, he unselfishly handed the ball to Mareletse, who was facing goal. Reluctant to take a shot, he gave the ball to Mabena, who didn’t hesitate to drill the ball.
After the goal, there was less action from both sides, with the hosts heading to the interval with a goal advantage.
The momentum continued for Bafana Ba Style in the second stanza. Thato Sibiyaopens the second half beautifully when he cuts inside and delivers a ball to Simphiwe Mlondo. Unready to connect, the ball was intercepted by the Sekhukhune United defence.
A similar action saw Masandawana doubling their advantage in the 54th minute. Thabo Nkabinde cut inside and delivered the ball. Again, Babina Noko intercepted, but Kekana managed to intercept their attempt to clear the ball. He then fired the shot to find the back of the net.
As the match continued, the Downs defence started looking sluggish under the scorching, which led to the visitors managing to break the line and catching them napping. Twice, Babina Noko infiltrated the defence but was unlucky to see both efforts miss the target by a few inches.
The last big action of the match came from substitute Ntokozo Siquba, before he was taken out due to an injury, who had received a beautiful cross from Selwyn Stevens. His effort was, however, too strong to find the back of the net. Despite searching for more goals, Downs walked away with three points and a clean sheet.
How we lined up: Biyela ©, Modika, Seedat, Nkabinde, Sibiya, Kekana, Masisi, Mareletse, Mabena, Mlondo, Booysen.
Subs: Shabangu, Mswane, Siquba, Mokoena, Stevens.
