A resilient Mamelodi Sundowns side came from a goal down at the break to win the game by defeating Marumo Gallants 3-1 on Wednesday evening at the SeisaRamabidu Stadium.
The visitors looked dominant from the moment the referee blew the kick-off whistle, creating plenty of chances to find a goal in the early minutes. Teboho Mokoena was first to rattle the hosts with a long-range effort but was off target. A few minutes later, Jayden Adams came close with a header that came from a good supply by Marcelo Allende, but the ball was not headed low enough to meet the target.
Masandawana continued to look for an opener as they kept the ball in Gallants’ half and did not allow their rivals to create any chances. Lucas Ribeiro also created a few chances but the goalkeeper came out numerous times to deny him. A goal finally came in the 37th minute, but it was the hosts that broke the deadlock through a header on the near post. Downs continued to look for a goal to level matters in the final minutes of the first stanza but were unable to find any, as they headed to the break trailing.
Six minutes into the second half, the Brazilians were able to level matters through Allende who hit a powerful strike that found the bottom right of the net. This came after they picked up from where they left off by dominating the encounter.
Gallants’ confidence began to grow as they snatched the dominance from their visitors. They threatened the Downs’s defense a few times. An opportunity for them to score came but Denis Onyango smacked the low shot away to save his side. The backline saved the day again when they blocked another big chance from the hosts.
Ribeiro, who had been knocking on the door the whole game, finally found his breakthrough, his tenth goal of the season, in the 79th minute. It was substitute, Arthur Sales who delivered the ball to Ribeiro who was covered by a forest of players, but he saw an opportunity to shoot, snatching the lead from Bahlabane Ba Ntwa. Two minutes later Iqraam Rayners received the ball from a long delivery. His first attempt was blocked by the goalkeeper but was able to find the rebound and scored the third goal to extend Masandawana’s advantage.
In the final stages of the match, Onyango was given marching orders by the referee, after receiving a second yellow card. With all their substitutes used up, ThapeloMorena wore the gloves to stand between the poles for the remaining minutes of the match. The results remained the same in the end, seeing the Brazilians extending their lead on the top of the league log in style.
How we lined up: Onyango ©, Mokoena, Kekana, Suarez, Adams, Ribeiro, Modiba, Allende, Rayners, Morena, Shalulile.
Subs: February, Lebusa, Cupido, Tiwani, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Letlhaku, Maseko, Sales.
Very much disappointed with Onyango’s red card,in my book a player who gets booked for time wasting is a stupid because you not wasting time as that time is going to be added and instead you are prolonging the game unnecessary,for a player of his age he should have known better.You just can’t be booked for time wasting when you are leading 3-1,it shows immaturity.This is the same nonsense we did in the final of African Football League,time wasted is always been added,when you get a booking the ref stops his watch. Happy with a hard fought victory and well done boys.
Seconded member Onyango is a stupid player really he knows very well that that time wasting will be added in the injury time same as Ronwen he likes to do that and it’s annoying.
This thing of Downs in keeping players for too long is not good sometimes Onyango should have been released long time ago but our team now is like a charity as if we owed them.
They’re many old players whom must be released especially the old one and this thing they will be doing it in Champs league you find our player wants to throw in a ball then he leaves for another the second one do the same and the referee give all of them bookings like they did in our last Afl games,boring delaying tactics.
Very important to respect each other to call person stupid is insulting please guys this platform for express our options not insulting lets respect very important love u all