It was a triumphant Thursday evening for Mamelodi Sundowns when they clinched their seventh league title in a row, following a 5-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium. It was second half heroics in goals from Tashreeq Matthews, Matias Esquivel, Lucas Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch, which saw the Brazilians collect maximum points away from home.
The first half started a bit slow as both sides were looking to find their groove but on the 19th minute there was trouble already looming as Kaizer Chiefs had to continue the rest of the match with only ten men after a foul on Lucas Ribeiro as he was close to goal, which led to Msimango receiving marching orders.
A couple of chances were created by Downs and there were two shots that sent the home side goalkeeper to work but he made important saves to deny them a goal. The first half saw Amakhosi hold the visitors to a goalless draw ahead of the break.
Downs resumed the second half a more assertive side as they created more chances. The chances finally paid off as Matthews opened the floodgates on the 52nd minute from a brilliant Ribeiro pass, to put his side in an advantage. Five minutes later a second goal followed through Esquivel’s finish to double matters for the visitors.
Coach Rulani made three changes after the hour mark to introduce fresh legs. It was Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba and Khuliso Mudau who came in for Mosa Lebusa, Neo Maema and Zuko Mdunyelwa. Of course, the Pretoria-based side was not satisfied with a two-goal lead to end the evening and that’s when Matthews got his brace on the 82nd minute to make it three.
Masandawana were unable to keep a clean sheet after conceding through a penalty kick. This came from a foul in the box leading to the referee to point on the spot. The penalty shot saw the Glamour Boys pull one up.
To conclude the meeting in Soweto, brilliant goals from Ribeiro from range, who is now on 12 goals, and Lorch in the final stages of the match, put the nail on the coffin, ensuring that Masandawana collect all points on offer, leading them to their seventh consecutive league title.
How we lined up: D. Onyango, Mdunyelwa, Mashego, Coetzee, Lebusa, Mkhulise, Maema, Lorch, Esquivel, Ribeiro, Matthews.
Subs: Williams, Mvala, Mudau, Modiba, Mbule, Allende, Maboe, Nku, Shalulile.
They were celebrating with Esperance,now they are crying alone,we should have hammered them 7-0.Very much happier with the second half performance, Matthews has got talent and the brains to complement his talent, he only made one mistake in the first half when he decided to shoot when Costa was in a better position to score,other than that he is a special talent,I don’t know we he gets energy to sustain his intensity.Rulani deserves a Bell’s,when we criticize you we want to push you to the limit bcoz we know you can do better.If you can check the comments after the Esperence 99% of them were positive even though the team lost,we know it’s impossible to win all the games but,we must lose fighting and creating changes like we did in the semifinals of champions league. We appreciate the good job you have done for us,since you took over we don’t win the league on the last game,that alone is a monumental improvement.Thank you and good luck on Sunday.
Congrats boys those guys talks a lot young African will cry with them.