The Brazilians got away with maximum points against Royal AM in their 3-2 victory at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. In the between two of the top teams in the league, it had the feel of Masandawana showing the chasing pack they remain the team to beat.
Thabiso Kutumela opened the scoring for Bafana Ba Style with a stunning volley as early as five minutes into the encounter, making it his second goal of the season since signing for the club in July.
On the right-hand side Kutumela and full back Thapelo Morena were exceptional in their exchange of passes on the right side of the pitch going into attack and giving Tshidiso Monamodi much to do in defense.
The visiting side had Tebogo Potsane and Ndumiso Mabena upfront pressing Downs’ wall in attempt to find a quick equalizer to get themselves back in the game, Andile Jali misinterpreted Potsane’s attempt at goal and fouled the Royal attacker, giving the KwaZulu-Natal based team their closest chance at goal. Masandawana goalie Kennedy Mweene was to be tested for the first time in the encounter, however a fragile Mabena shot met Downs defensive line.
Moments later Neo Maema was earning his keep at the other end of the pitch when he forced Nyame to extend himself to save the shot that was on target. Royal’s Potsane was back again shortly, forcing Mweene to make his first real save in the game. The moments of play between Mabena and Potsane approaching the half time break were convincing as they came close to equalizing however Rushine De Reuck – who made a return to the line up, was caught by no surprises as he easily cleared the ball out of danger.
The second half started with a substitution by the home team, Mothobi Mvala made his way for Mosa Lebusa before the game commenced. Namibian international Peter Shalulile missed a goalscoring opportunity to extend The Brazilians lead when Kutumela perfectly placed the ball on his run as they both charged towards Nyame. The visitors responded shortly with a shot over the crossbar and this was a reminder there are few more uplifting sights in the clash. The champions were bold and inventive from start to finish, breaking Thwihli Thwahla’s defense with a beautiful exhibition of passing and movement. Morena’s bold pass into the box did not go to waste with Shalulile scoring his first in the afternoon’s meeting and giving Masandawana a two-nil advantage.
A build up in play from Bafana Ba Style’s own half straight into their opponent’s box was a marvel, Jali and Modiba’s attack was enough for Shalulile to spot another goalscoring opportunity as he found the back of the net in style. While Royal AM was losing their momentum in the second half, the substitution of Victor Letsoalo was all the change that brought them back into the game.
Masandawana’s lead was threatened with ten minutes left to play for the Tshwane giants to collect their long awaited three points to extend their lead at the top of the table, Letsoalo was the man with the goal and Royal AM was motivated to stay in the game. In the final minute of regular time Royal AM were awarded a penalty and the gap between the two sides was closed as Letsoalo placed the ball to one side that Mweene had not anticipated.
Despite an anxious few moments from the visitors, it was Bafana Ba Style who left the encounter as victors as they moved ten points clear top of the league table.
This is how we lined up: K. Mweene, N. Maema (77′ Kapinga), M. Lebusa (45’ Mvala), G. Kekana, L. Lakay (57′ Modiba), A. Jali, R. De Reuck, T. Morena, P. Shalulile, T. Kutumela (63’ Sirino), S. Vilakazi (57′ Mkhulise).
R. Goss, M. Mvala, A. Modiba, K. Erasmus, L. Kapinga, T. Zwane, P. Safranko, G. Sirino, S. Mkhulise.
Thanks for the win and I didn’t watch the game and not even recording because of Sofranko,Lebusa,Domingo and Zwane whom are performing below par,I thought they will be in the starting line up,now its high time we play most of our skillfully players like Maraisane and Kapinga so that Shalulile can get those defence splitting passes to score a lot of goals.
I’m very disappointed in Vilakazi my favorite player maybe he stick too much on basketball since he’s always on the bench.Downs have skillfully players and pls let’s not dwell only on Zwane those who are crying about him I’m sure they haven’t seen Maraisane playing and I don’t know why our coaches are afraid to unleash him,the boy is marvelous to watch.
Thanks for the win Guys, but we almost mess up in the first half. Technical team l think they made a blunder by playing J15 with vilakazi. During the first l thought they were going to Swap Morena with Vilakazi to assist Jali cause Vilakazi was not copying. Cause we had Morena and kutumela on the right. But it was so pleasing to see more Guys being given a chance. De Reuck he really gives everything. He puts club before himself. He never shy away. I seen hem several times. Some players they just shy away or pull out.
Thanks for the win masandawana but I’m concern about this team, from three up we ended 3_2 is like we were about to draw again please Wiseman fix these problems
No member there was nothing wrong with the team yesterday they played well the only problem was the referee who gave them a dubious penalty and I don’t blame my team this time that the score ended 3-2.
What we should celebrate is that we scored more goals otherwise we could ended up drawing that’s the only lesson we must learn that we must keep on scoring because this referees are always against us.Kby forever
this guy Muzi Kunene is just all over the show trying by all means to find fault . sometimes things might not go our way but we have to live with it especially if we are commenting from a distance .
It is pointless to comment about the refs,they are very poor,even on Tuesday Galaxy were given a penalty for no foul and this means we must always focus on scoring more goal per game not possession.When i saw our line up i quickly checked on our bench if Baxter was not there cause he is the only one who plays that system.We started to play much better after the introduction of Mkhulise and Modiba.We have talented player so let us stop making teams think they can match by been scared of them when they are scared of us.The moment you play ball on your half too much the opponents will come looking for the ball in your half and that create unnecessary on us especially when you have players like Lebusa who are not comfortable on the ball and let us forgert about him for a while and give him enough chance to heal.On the second half were cruising and we conceded those goals owing to lapse in concentration thinking the game has already been won. Fighting spirit and hard work saw us through that game.It was pleasing to see fresh players playing,we need to also refresh even it the poles, i believe we have quality keepers.I think we need two central midfielders urgently cause we badly struggled in that department in our last two games,just imagine if AJ can get a long term injury.Let us control what we can and stop employing Baxter style and be fearless,no team in the Psl can match us toe to toe.Dankie for the hard earned 3 points.
Let’s maintain that winning culture, we’re behind this mighy giant Team #YellowNation