It has been a tough two days for Mamelodi Sundowns, but the boys knew that there is a lot of work that needs to be done on the day and a victory against newbies TS Galaxy was the only way. This was the first time the two sides met in an official game.
Downs made sure that intentions were clear from the start of the game, and that was evident in the second minute of the game as Thapelo Morena found Peter Shalulile with a great pass but the striker was judged to be offside. The usual attacking trio was missing Kermit Erasmus on the night but the combination of “Mshishi” and Shalulile were still able to pose a threat as they almost created a chance in the twelfth minute of the game but the visitor’s defence was quick to react.
Galaxy showed on occasion their fight and their desire to earn something out of this game however The Brazilains’ defence proved to be resilient as they stood tall, with goalkeeper Denis Onyango pulling out all stops to keep a clean sheet.
The deadline was broken in the 33rd minute as Zwane flicked the ball for Shalulile who made a perfect run to beat the offside trap before slotting through the legs of van der Linde in the Galaxy goal to score his fourth for the season. The first half ended with the Brazilians leading by a goal to nil.
The visitors were the first ones to come out of their shells in the second half and Strydom Wambi was the man busy pulling the strings and even had his shot blocked by Brian Onyango. With the defence standing tall the ‘Rockets” were limited to testing the Downs goal with shots from distance as they could not penetrate.
With the game in the closing stages, Mshishi showed his class together with Lebo Maboe, with a great finish for his seventh of the season and to take the two-nil lead and to ensure that the three points were safe. Late in second half stoppage time, Galaxy had an opportunity to pull one back after Brian Onyango gave away a penalty following a handball in the area. Ebrahim Seedat could only see his penalty saved by Denis Onyango who clung on to his well-earned clean sheet.
Mamelodi Sundowns (33’ Shalulile, 76’ Zwane) 2 – 0 TS Galaxy
How we lined up:
D. Onyango, Morena, Lakay, Nascimento, B.Onyango, Jali, Maluleka, Maboe, Domingo (Kapinga’56), Zwane ( Magerman’84), Shalulile(Vilakazi’90).
SUBS:
Goss, Mudau, Mkhuma, Kapinga, Margeman, Soumahoro, Vilakazi, Mvala.