Downs Triumph Over Bucs To Remain Unbeaten In The League

Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Orlando Pirates with an impressive 4-1 win in the DStv Premiership on Friday evening.

Masandawana were ruthless in front of goal in match number 17 in the DStv Premiership. A brace from Pavol Safranko and one each for Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile saw the defending Champions secure themselves a fourth win in a row in the league.

It was the The Brazilians who had the first opportunity, breaking quickly thanks to a precise cross taken by Lyle Lakay into the box from a corner kick that connected with Thapelo Morena, but unfortunately his shot let him down as it went over the goalposts.

The Buccaneers responded shortly with their own goal attempt through forward Deon Hotto who was unable to place the ball on target as Denis Onyango stood untested. Downs certainly came flying out of the blocks, the intensity shown was consistent from the beginning throughout the intense encounter. Pirates did not shy away from posing threats as both teams struggled to go past the final third, however given the opportunity to shoot for goal, the Buccaneers Kwame Peprah forced Onyango to make a real attempt that could’ve put the visitors ahead.

Bafana Ba Style had a few clear-cut chances of their own before heading into the break, Andile Jali and Sphelele Mkhulise interchanged classical passes while assisting Zwane and still searching for the opening goal. Downs center half, Grant Kekana and Paseka Mako of Pirates collided during the Buccaneers attack in the dying minutes of the half leading to Kekana’s withdrawal from the clash. Onyango was put through his final check as Thembinkosi Lorch shot against the solid wall.

Just as the second half returned Masandawana sought to increase the pressure, and pieced together a lovely flowing move before being awarded a free kick that would give them their long awaited lead. Free kick specialist Lyle Lakay directed the ball to the Buccaneers’ far post, with Shalulile waiting and going unmarked, the Namibian international assisted Zwane to his 5th league goal as he placed the ball in the net. Mshishi and Shalulile were back at it shortly, this time it was Zwane assisting Shalulile who took a powerful shot towards Siyabonga Mpontshane.

The visitors then enjoyed a decent spell of pressure, meanwhile Downs continued to create more chances with intention. Slovak international, Safranko scored two goals in ten minutes, followed by Shalulile five minutes later to sink the Pirates ship. An impressive team performance from the Tshwane giants were unstoppable and more goals seemed to be looming as the Sea Robbers defense was no longer difficult to dismantle. Fortune Makaringe left Onyango standing still with just a minute left to full time when his stunning shot gave Ezimnyama Ngenkani a goal in the evening’s affair in Pretoria.

Bafana Ba Style 24-year old, Sifiso Ngobeni made his debut in the mouthwatering battle, alongside Lesedi Kapinga, Aubrey Modiba and Mothobi Mvala who were substituted on. Ricardo Nascimento made his first start of the season and made a fantastic clearance against Pirates.

This is how we lined up: D. Onyango, A. Jali (65′ Modiba), T. Zwane, G. Kekana (45′ Safranko), L. Lakay (81′ Ngobeni), R.Coetzee, R. De Reuck, T. Morena, P. Shalulile (81′ Kapinga), R. Nascimento, S. Mkhulise (65′ Mvala)

K. Mweene, M. Mvala, B. Onyango, L. Kapinga, P. Safranko, A. Modiba, S.Vilakazi, G. Maluleka, S. Ngobeni.

5 Responses
  1. Jero

    Congratulations to the players and Technical Team and everyone whose part of this family. It is a great win indeed wins like this makes you enjoy the game not when you are watching a game you find yourself sitting at the edge of the seat. When you do your job earlier it gives you freedom to withdraw some over worked players. It was really pleasing to see Ngobeni l never paid attention on him when he was at Celtics l love what l seen very skilful.and fast to me left back no too good and he fit our Profile with more minutes l smell danger. Please let us not send him out in January but let us try and give him more minutes and let him get his league with us for his confidence boots on top of that is a local boy this means alot to him he presents the name. Too excited for this win and big up to Safranko you are trying your best boy. Performances like this they going to convince us that you are special. Because we haven’t seen yet what we have been seeing on you tube. Keep up Safranko if you ever read this know we have nothing against you we love you. But also know that we all want the best for this team. We appreciate you when you do good and we can see when you unlucky and we understand that you can not score every game. as a striker you know you are judged by goals, assist and creating spaces for on coming Middlefielders but when we see that you mis open net we will always have something to say. But please do your thing and believe in yourself.

    1. Ronnie Bothma

      Good win… Excellent win… I always comment on special performances by certain players. Today won’t do that. That’s because the whole team played well. Good comment by Jero about Safranko… We have nothing personal against him. To the technical team, great work!!!

  2. Dalom

    We always play great football against Pirates because they’re not defensive, they play an open game, even Oros used to praise them while beating them at the same time. The 2nd half looked more like the Sundowns I know. With Nascimento, we initiate the attacks staight from the back, bacause his passing is very good. Even the 2nd goal against Baroka came from him. Lebusa and Kekana are always passing backwards. It seems as if Manqoba an Rhulani never learned anything from Oros, they were supposed to be using Shalulile the same way Oros was to Billiat, sometimes turn-over the defence with his speed. You mostly do that against defensive teams before they can organise themselves at the back.

  3. sbedula

    Congratulations to the players and the technical team, they played well for the whole 90min. OOOh safranko played very well and he proved those keep on saying his not sundowns material, the guy is good, he just needs time to unjust.

  4. Bango

    Congratulations to Sundowns!Well done. Nice game of football. That was a job well done. I am not sure with the last second goal we gave away , was it a gift to respect a big team or it was mistake. If it was a deliberate gifting its fine, if it was a mistake , it is a dangerous mistake, better focus till the last whistle.Safranko is coming alright,l have seen excellent touches from him, he is not a selfish striker. A lot more is expected of him. The next assignment is Amazulu. All the best.

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