Mamelodi Sundowns emerged victorious against Swallows FC in the DStv Premiership with four stunning goals.
Peter Shalulile’s superb hat-trick along with Bradley Ralani’s goal sealed The Brazilians 4-2 victory against The Dube Birds in Wednesday night’s League thriller at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Bafana Ba Style showed dominance over Swallows in the bid for their title defense with three goals in the first half from Shalulile and Ralani. The hosts hit back twice with a Dillon Solomons goal in the first 45 minutes and then a Ruzaigh Gamildien goal the second half.
The game’s first chance came from Kamohelo Mahlatsi early in the game, as the Swallows attacker shot straight at Reyaad Pieterse. A slick counter attack followed as the Sundown’s goalie saved the goal attempt, resulting in a corner kick. The Namibian international star had the ball in the back of the net from a header as he beat Thela Ngobeni at his near post. All Downs Players were hands on in pressing the opponents, a super pass from captain Andile Jali presented an opportunity to unlock a shaky-looking Swallows backline as he connected with Shalulile who wasted no time in scoring his second goal for the night.
The hosts of the night wasted no time in responding to the two quick goals Masandawana dished out, Solomons came forward during a tussle with the defenders and eventually got his foot right in the ball to score one for the Dube Birds.
Both teams continued going forwards, diagonally and backwards, looking for more goals for their teams. Kagiso Malinga then fired just wide as Swallows again pressed for a goal in a game still very much controlled by Masandawana as half-time approached.
Ralani was then presented with a goalscoring opportunity just before the 30-minute mark. Fresh off the back of joining the Tshwane giants, the playmaker controlled the incoming long pass from Jali outside the box and extended the lead to three goals to one as the first-half action came to a close.
As the second half rolled around, Malinga’s tame effort marked the first chance of the second period, with Pieterse once again called into action to stop him. Monnapule Saleng’s tricky cross went over Downs’s goalpost as Swallows looked to come back early into the heated encounter.
Shalulile combined with Haashim Domingo in the box to present a potential avenue for Masandawana’s attack, but no threats were posed at the goalie who stood firm. The game’s second half goal followed just after the 80 minutes, as Gamaldien headed home a pinpoint cross.
Sundownns showed resilience soon after and continued with their approach through some neat build-up, Themba Zwane went close for goal as the defenders struggled to stop him from taking a shot. A rebound from Zwane’s attempt located his fellow teammate Shalulile who finished the job for Masandawana to make it four goals on the evening.
The result leaves the Bafana Ba Style as the log leaders in the DStv Premiership, with just six games remaining until the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
This is how we lined up:
Pieterse , K. Mudau, L. Lakay (93′ Maema), R. De Reuck, A. Jali (93′ Modiba), G. Malukeka (87′ Mokoena), B. Onyango, H. Domingo (78′ Maboe), T. Zwane, P. Shalulile B. Ralanai (93′ Kekana)
Subs:
Goss, A. Modiba, G. Kekana , N. Maema, T. Mokoena, L. Kapinga, G. Sirino, L. Maboe, K. Erasmus.
Very big win,i think we need 2 more wins to wrap the league and start planning for next season because some of our trusted players won’t give us the same performance,and now should give the likes of Modiba,Maema,Kapinga,Mkuma,Goss and Lunga more regular game time.Very much impressed with Mido and Pieterse. There’s always room for improvement,in my view i don”t think we gave that game the respect and professionalism it deserves after we went 2 nil up foe example,we tried to be smart where not necessary,like the first goal we conceded, AJ should’ve put the ball out for throw in instead he put the ball on the path of an opponent,even an unforced error by De Reuck,this need to be corrected going forward.Lets treat our local games the same way we treating champions league game.Overall we are very much excited as Downs family for the good job you are doing,bravo.
My concern is that we have been conceding goals very late, can u imagine scoring 2 goals and end up conceding 2 goals again.We did it against Supersport,Royal AM,Baroka, Maritzburg & most recently yesterday a late goal was conceded though we restored the 2 goal cushion,can u have a look on that 3 wisemen.A splendid performance and a job well done boys, thanks. I so wish that we should wrap up the league &put our focus on champions league & the Nedbank cup. I like the way players are being rotated to restore harmony & winning atmosphere at the club.But to be more economically let’s do away with Motupa because of his constant injuries,Mahlambi for his wayward behaviour,then I’m not too sure about keeping Villa on the payroll of Sundowns.Madjadibodu&Lukhubeni must be returned back to the team to complement Mudau.But to say it all I’m very much impressed by these coaches, the way they instilled unity& complete discipline around the camp.I can tell you that there’s one goal there, to make Sundowns the best & the biggest on the continent.Pitso may have been the best but I believe these are the greatest combination ever.Kaboyelo I remain.