Mamelodi Sundowns put on a thrilling display to beat Sekhukhune United 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Brazilians were led by goals scored in the second half from Peter Shalulile and Cassius Mailula.
Masandawana showed determination to score as early as possible in the closely contested encounter in the Capital, with Babina Noko showing no signs of defeat from their previous games. Bafana Ba Style took their first attempt at goal through Sphelele Mkhulise, the midfield maestro took a long range effort wide past Ali Sangare’s goalposts.
Sipho Mbule and Neo Maema were hunting for a goal with their passes going past United’s defense, however the goalkeeper stepped out of his box to clear out any attempts. Maema was put to the task again in the 15th minute as he put his shot on target to test Sangare who made another save for Babina Noko.
The visiting team’s frustrations began to show with the game heading into 20 minutes with no goals on sight. Maema was put down by Tlotlo Leepile followed by another foul from United, Nyiko Mobie received a yellow card for taking down Sipho Mbule.
Namibian international striker Shalulile continued to make his first-half attempt at goal, Sifiso Ngobeni put in a low cross inside the box as Shalulile made a run on to the ball but Sangare made a brilliant save and put his team back in the game. Sekhukhune stepped up their game in the last half of the first half, Victor Letsoalo had a strike at Denis Onyango as they looked to steal one before the break.
The Brazilians had their moment of brilliance before the first half ended, Gaston Sirino and Shalulile connected their play and pushed towards goal, Shalulile’s final shot went astray, leading both teams to walk off the pitch goalless.
Downs started the second half energetically, with Shalulile finding the back of the net within two minutes of playtime from a close range. Masandawana set the tone in a tight midfield battle by squeezing their passes and finding pockets of space between Sekhukhune’s central trio.
Andile Jali and Mbule worked their way towards the attack, supplying Sirino with the ball to make a final shot on target and Sangre denying the home team another goal. A triple substitution of Bongani Zungu, Marcelo Allende and Surprise Ralani was made in the place of Jali, Mkhulise and Mbule.
Shortly after the substitutions were made, Babina Noko found the back of the net, but the referee’s decision kept Downs in the lead as he called for offside play.
The visitors grew in confidence and rained down a barrage of attempts in Downs’ final third, Mosa Lebusa cleared the ball of danger and put his team back in line of attack. Ralani took a long range free kick which went past the goalposts and the game continued to be a back and forth in attack from both sides.
Inside a frantic last 15 minutes of the match, Mailula swapped with Sirino and within seven minutes the young Brazilian latched on to an incoming cross from Thapelo Morena to extend the lead for Masandawana. The defending Champions wrapped up the afternoon with a terrific win to remain at the top of the DStv Premiership table.
This is how we lined up:
- Onyango, Morena, Lebusa, B. Onyango, Ngobeni, Jali (56′ Zungu), Mbule (56′ Ralani), Maema, Mkhulise (56′ Allende), Sirino (73′ Mailula), Shalulile.
Subs:
Mweene, Allende, Ralani, Mailula, Mvala, Karelse,Zungu, Kapinga, Mohamme
Great team performance all round lets keep on del=ering chains go Ja;u Pule and FFP FC until they bring back the Rothmans Trophy they stole from us
U 7 emoyeni yellow Nation greetings. Big up to the players who sweats out for our joy Technical team for installing the dinspline and humbleness and hunger to the players Management keep it up for making everyone happier. Game was great l am glad to see some improvement to Ngobeni defensively l am sure He will improve on that cause it seems him and Modiba are the main targets which makes me question all our opponents that they come with one game plan once we close that they get lost.Let me congrats Lebusa one of his best game covering for Ngobeni and one all his tackles.
Mbule what a player l think thats a player who can play Mshishi position.
Cash n Carry akanamali Sting like a Bee.
When was the last time we witnessed a strike like him in south African Soccer at 21 His goal rate amazing .Let us be honest our Development is doing great job. It did not start today .When l look at the past 10 years we have produce some wonderful players some had gone to other teams to make names for themselves.
When l look at Development that has produced stars in the last ten years can be 1.Former Ajax cape Town 2.supersport 3. Sundowns 4 .Martinsburg 5 Pirate some of those teams have send some players overseas Bafana Bafana. And some playing for big teams in the country.
Because l.am yellow.Guys.But Cash a boy is marvelous we may loose him to overseas teams sooner if those team won’t question his height specially coming from South Africa if you look at Europe kante is one of the shortest player l know.