The Tshwane Giants remain winless in the group stages of the CAF Champions League following a 1-1 draw against AS FAR on Saturday night at a sold-out Stade El Abdi in Morocco.
Masandawana had a promising start in vibrant Stade El Abdi as they took control of the proceedings. They hovered over the Moroccan defence in the danger area but did not get it right to pull one back.
With what was at stake, the battle was an extremely physical one for both sides. Very early in the encounter, Mothobi Mvala had to be forced out of the battle, having played only 20 minutes, after a blow on his knee. Mosa Lebusa came in as the perfect replacement to help the team at the back.
The visitors’ confidence might have given the hosts a bit of a stage fright in the beginning, but eventually, they joined the party, and pressure from both sides started to build up. Dangerous chances were created in both boxes, but neither side was able to find the back of the net before the break.
The Morocco-based side came back into the second stanza looking more physical and dangerous. With a bit of dribbling on the right flank to try and find space and shoot, AS FAR were unable to break the deadlock after Lebusa made a clinical tackle to deny their opponents an opener.
It is, however, coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s charges that drew first blood in the 66th minute through Iqraam Rayners. The ball came from an excellent counter-attack, which was initiated by Ronwen Williams. A speedy and alert Rayners then effectively capitalised on Williams’ long shot by chipping the ball over the goalkeeper. This gained the visitors a bit of control. The control didn’t last for long because eight minutes later, AS FAR struck back with an equaliser.
In the final stages of the game, Bafana Ba Style created plenty of chances, trying to sneak a win. They looked to close off the counter with great moments, but with so much pressure they were feeling, they were struggling to get it right and had to settle for the spoils.
How we lined up: Williams, Mudau, Khoza, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Aubaas, Allende, Rayners, Ribeiro, Shalulile.
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Mashego, Maema, Maboe, Mkhulise, Sales, Morena, Kodisang.
My plea to Downs Management in our next transfer window(January)pls release Mudau and Mokoena to create harmony and fighting team spirit it’s obvious with this two we are doom to failure especially Mudau he lacks discipline if there was var he would be red carded and not forgetting the biggest culprit who is Ribeiro.
We can easily replace them with Matuludi and Jayden Adams those spoilt brats with young players whom are hungry for success
They came to Downs hungry now they think they’re bigger than our beloved Downs.
Lastly I will keep on begging for our team to sign Feisal and I bet my last cent once we find that guy Mokoena will sit on grandstand because that boy can play and he’s accurate with his shots it will be like we find another Hlompho,coming to Manqoba pls coach don’t repeat the same mistakes than by Rhulani where he used to say in Pta we have goals and I remember him in Tunisia said that but the Esperance came and scored against us in Pta,full stadium or the ground itself doesn’t play but it’s eleven against eleven,just work hard and play the correct players and stop over analysing the opponents even maybe their bus driver and kit manager we are enough of that we want positive results.
Watched the game and i was so disturbed with lack a discipline from our players,namely Modau,Costa and Modiba.The technical team is make things for themselves by favoritism,i mean Sales played well prior to the CAF game but he was sacrificed for Shalulile who plays like a defender upfrontal,also Mkhulise played well but he was benched the whole game.The red card to Modiba is a blessing in disguise the guy plays nonsense these days he was lucky not to concede a penalty,even during cup final he played the same nonsense,just because he is coach’s favorite nothing is said but one some players make one mistake coach has the nerve to criticize the in the media.My advice,on Sunday we need players who uses their brains upfront not power,we were lethal with Rayners,Costa and Mathews upfront now that Mathews is injured Morena must occupy that space,nowadays is difficult to partner with Shalulile because 9/10 when you pass him the ball he either loses it or is offside.When we analyses the let’s not see what we want to see and ignore the truth.Muzi i agree 100% with you on Adams and Matuludi,Matuludi can also be utilized as a center back because he is good aerially and he is got pace and very much young compared to Mvala,Lebusa and Kekana who are mostly injured.Just imagine Khoza and Matuludi combo.We also need a serious left back.We must stop acting like government where employees work until their pension age,in soccer you need to refresh the team hence players have short contracts,most plays contributed enough for us hence they are no longer hungry.Teams like Man City they released the likes of Mahreez,Sterling and Aquero,i can bet by last dollar is they were playing for Downs they would still be playing for us even now and millions just bacause a team achieved more with them.