Mamelodi Sundowns walked away with all three points in a thrilling Absa Premiership encounter with Bloemfontein Celtic after a 2-1 victory at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Wednesday night.
Tebogo Langerman almost put Sundowns ahead as early as the 16th minute after the speedy leftback ventured foward to meet a low cross from Gaston Sirino, but he was unable to direct his shot on target.
Hlompo Kekana fired a swerving long-range shot which rebounded off the upright and fell for defender Mosa Lebusa, who steered the ball under the body of goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto to make it 1-0 to the Sundowns.
‘Downs should have doubled their lead just before the break when they stole possession high up the field and Sibusiso Vilakazi was put in on goal, but his low shot was saved by Mpoto to ensure the Tshwane side held only a one-goal lead at halftime.
Kekana was brought down in the box after some burst of pace from the skipper and earned Sundowns a penalty soon after the restart for a clumsy foul. Themba Zwane converted from the spot make it 2-0 in the 50th minute.
Zwane almost grabbed a second goal in the 74th minute, sending a long range curler toward the top corner, but the Celtic keeper made an excellent save to palm the ball over the top of the crossbar.
The the home team scored a consolation goal in the 87th minute after Andile Jali was judged to have handled the ball in the box. The match ended with the 2-1 scoreline and moved Sundowns 3rd on the Absa Premiership log.
LINEUP: Onyango, Ngcongca, Madisha, Lebusa, Langerman, Seabi, Kekana, Zwane (Arendse 90+5’), Sirino (Lakay 82’), Vilakazi (Jali 68’), Maboe
Firstly, I would like to say excellent job..Masadawana siyabonga coach Pisto of corse and ur team…. I fully agree with the members..Vila,Vila…is costing us I’m sure if we didn’t score a second goal,u all would be not happy with the coach… MKHULISE would be a better option..and Mabunda at least we know he is a hard worker…I think what makes him not to start it’s his passing..and always miss pass the ball….and that is Langarman problem..he should have scored..but we all know he’s going to miss…but he has improved at the back….Lakey don’t know what was he doing yesterday…I never new what is his mission..hayi kabi…for he is back soccer player but not for Sundowns…as coach keep on saying not every player is our material…I wonder what he so… I don’t think he’s better then promoting our younger boys for defence… personally we should have bought the left back from Cape town city…Edmilson he is a CAF and Sundowns material…my opinion
Favoritism still persists in our lovely Masandawana, Villa and Maboe doesn’t need to work hard to be in 1st eleven and cannot be easily substituted and they will cost us dearly one day. Ngconga is a old crock but still favoured.
Congratulations to Masandawana Amahle! It was a tough match, Celtic is a good team. They have excellent touches and can hurt any team. We take the positives, the victory and three points, however we wish to advise our players given the opportunity to play to do it with all diligence. We won yes, we still have room to improve. We are not taking our chances seriously, we will live to regret those chances. I am still waiting to see Langerman taking a shot at goal, those chances would good for him, he must be composed and make a powerful shot. Lebusa is becoming a very instrumental defender whose name will always appear on the score sheet. Captain fantastic is also playing effective football, his intentions are clear at all times, his long range shots gives us all the reasons to cheer the team. Our forwards must be alert always, rebounds will always be there, mistakes from opponents defense will always happen, they should always anticipate for such, that is how easy goals come. They must also shoot on target, you never know what can happen. Vila is not a bad player, he must bring back his confidence and do what we know him of, he must up his game and bring his A game. We know what he is capable of, maybe he should come in as a sub having exploited and studied the opponents, actually a lot is expected from him. Maboe must give it all, soon natural strikers will come in and begin to bang in goals and he may soon have a tough competition. He must apply some intelligence in that position, defenders never worry of a striker who always want combination passes, he must shield and protect the ball and try to finish off , i rarely see his shot at goal. Why should opponents trust him?
Our Coach said Villa played well yesterday, maybe we didn’t watch the same game,that shows no matter how much will cry Villa will always playing. I’m sorry to say this but it comes from the bottom of my heart I wish it was Maboe who got injured instead of Makgalwa even though he doesn’t select himself but the truth is that boy is not giving us anything positive he should be sitting on grandstand.Kby forever
no no no no,this needs to stop!!!!! What r Maboe n Vilakazi still doing in the starting eleven? Hay Pitso pls stop with your favouritism
where is Shozi and Boikanyo the exceptional boys from our MDC team
Scrappy win even though Celtic never threatened us.The overall performance was good but we just not sharp in front of goals.Coach please don’t make some players feel like the own positions,let all players fight egually for starting 11.On the Vila and Maboe issue,Maboe is the one who presses and opens defenders by his high work ethic and clever runs and,by so doing he creates opportunities for the like of Serino,Zwane and Kekana.Vila holds and distribute the ball well,can dictates the pace of the game and also make clever runs into the box,his problem is finishing only.Sometimes he needs to be rested or start the game on the bench,and add pace to the game by introducing Mukhulise.I like the rotation of Kekana,Seabi,Jali and Coetzee.