Masandawana Draw In Orlando To Set Up Tantalising Second Leg Against Bucs

Mamelodi Sundowns displayed an incredible outing in the MTN8 semi-final battle against Orlando Pirates in Soweto to secure a goalless draw in the first leg of the Wafa Wafa Cup competition. 

The Brazilians came out strongly against the Buccaneers as both teams showed eagerness to get a goal as early as possible in the opening minutes of the match. The home team had a chance at goal first, Khuliso Mudau was cautioned for a tackle on Bandile Shandu on the right side of the pitch, the Sea Robbers looked  for a direct approach at Ronwen Williams after Monnapule Saleng’s strike hit the top of the woodwork.

Masandawana responded with an attempt at goal, this time Themba Zwane received the ball in the box, but the midfielder was unable to connect his shot well as it went off target. The Buccaneers returned again with a fierce attack from the middle of the park, new signing Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo released a pass to Zakhele Lepasa upfront, as the home team looked to finish off their move in attack, Rushine De Reuck blocked the attempt.

Ezimyama Ngenkani continued to apply pressure on Downs defensive structures,  but the solid wall at the back remained intact.  Bafana Ba Style were eventually awarded a free kick after Mshishi was brought down towards half time. Teboho Mokoena positioned himself to take the set piece, the young maestro’s shot went over the bar and gave Pirates’ goalie Richard Ofori a chance to rearrange his defense.

Neo Maema came close to goal in the last minutes of the first half, the Free State born star ained his shot at Ofori but was unfortunate to get positive results. Masandawana and the Buccaneers went into the break with no goals on either side.

When the second half began, Bafana Ba Style seemed to have found their composure again, starting with a prolonged spell of comfortable possession, which nearly resulted in getting the advantage at Orlando Stadium. Namibian international Peter Shalulile had his work cut out for him early after the restart, however two defenders from Pirates denied him the chance to take his shot at Ofori.

Williams was tested once again by Saleng and Lepasa, the Bafana Bafana international goalie denied the two strikers attempts at goal and kept Masandawana in the game. Pirates’ defense committed a foul on Mokoena outside the arch, the 25-year-old stepped up to take the opportunity to open the scoring line but his shot hit the wall of the Buccaneers.

The Brazilians made changes 10 minutes into the restart of the match, Bongani Zungu replaced Andile Jali, while Marcelo Allende swapped places with Maema. Other substitutions made in the encounter include Gaston Sirino, Thapelo Morena and Cassius Mailula as Mudau, Thabiso Kutumela and Zwane made their way off.

Sundowns continued to produce a threat at goal in the second half, showing heart and determination to win the heated encounter. With 29 minutes left to play, Zwane showed his dazzling skills with a back heel pass to Mokoena in the 18 area. Mokoena’s shot was cleared out by captain of the Sea Robbers Innocent Maela.

Kermit Erasmus flashed a shot across the box as the hosts pressed for a breakthrough with greater urgency towards the end of the second half. Williams came off his line quickly and jumped for the ball to tap it over the crossbar. The fully packed clash ended with a goalless draw as both teams will gear up for the second leg of the occasion to be held at the home of the Tshwane giants.

This is how we lined up: 

  1. Williams, A. Modiba, K. Mudau (86′ Morena), G. Kekana, R. De Reuck, T. Mokoena, T. Zwane (86′ Mailula), A. Jali © (53′ Zungu), N. Maema (53′ Allende), T. Kutumela (62′ Sirino), P. Shalulile 

 

Subs:D. Onyango (GK), T. Morena, S. Ngobeni, C. Mailula, M. Allende, M. Lebusa, B. Zungu, G. Sirino, E. Saavedra.

 

10 Responses
  1. Muzi Kunene

    Three things I’ve noticed in our game against Bucs and I think from now onwards we must rectify it,firstly Shalulile need a striking partner the poor boy is running all the pitch without getting the ball and if it continues like this we gonna hate him thinking he’s off form,secondly pls our lovely Wisemen Kutumela must sit on the bench sesiyabonga you tried your level best to justify his inclusion but the guy is not not Downs material, thirdly let’s introduce Mbule or Mailula early everybody can see the above players can unlock the opposition defence easily.
    Motupa is there if Nassir is still injured because he’s still on our payroll and come to the training all the time so why he’s always on grandstand, Kby forever

  2. Dalom

    What a damp squib performance from our boyz. Not that I was expecting anything better. Our performance is not improving at all. We’ll be very much lucky to go through to the finals. I would like to see more of Cassius Mailula, he looks a very good player and I’m just hoping he’ll be given more game time. Him, Sirino, Mashego and Nassir, I’m crossing my fingers that they’ll be fully fit come the 2nd leg. The pressure will be on us this time around

    1. Ronnie Bothma

      We weren’t very fluid today…we had a bit of control in the second half. Pirates played well too. Mudau is probably the best right back in the country… But he needs to work on his crossing. Zungu show good touches… But he looks like he still needs to lose a few kilos… Not the best performance but far from the worst. Perhaps we were too worried about the counter attacks. Good luck in the second leg

  3. Jero

    Great game yellow Nation .my opinion we need Gift matupa to assist shallu and Nasir .pirate got their clear chances cause we only defend with 2 defender’s who sit at the back so is obvious for opponents to get those chances Mailula I’s promising physical strong never position of the ball.if we can courage other players to make those runs of allande

  4. Jero

    Muzi l have just realised that you views are same as mine.another thing that has came to my mind pirate spend the October without playing only preparing us. Thats why they seems little bit fresh than us. But mailula was teaming up with promise at mdc and promise was little bit more to mailula. So pls watch a space those 2 boys Nadir promise mailula
    Allande mbuli our 24 year old defender that’s is future that’s To the Technical team for having one eye to the future

  5. Sbedula

    Hi members, I’m just disappointed with the way team performed today, it was poor game with no shot on target from us. Mudau let’s down first half with his poor decision. mailula seems good but upfront shalulile need help. why don’t you try motupa and shalulile upfront? stop favoritism guys

  6. Dalom

    Our strikers are not getting any supply. Whether we partner Shaulile with Motupa it’s not going to work without solving our ineffective middlefield. Nassir is the only player who can solve the problem because he likes taking on the players or Sipho Mbule with his defence splitting passes.

  7. Makhosonke

    Khuliso Modau what a good player, he remind me of Lovers Mohlala, but biggest problem of Modau is common sense, I don’t know who can help us by installing a common sense to Modau, he does everything good but pass the ball to the net or other players is a mess….

    What kind of a player is Modiba?

    Our managers I think they must stop favouritism, where is Dimingo? Why can’t they give Kapinga a fair chance as well? Rest Shalu maybe 1 game and give other guys or partner him with someone intelligent like Nasir… Good play Mailula good play Allude

  8. Downs4ever

    Members I can see your trying your level best to sugar coat this but the truth need to be told,1 whatever beef the technical team is having against Morena is killing our team bcoz Morena is very good playing alongside Shaulile,2 Manqoba and his son Kutumela and also Ralani and his son Maema are destroying our team,these two players were given enough chance but they failed dismally.No normal coach can play those two before Mbule and Sirinoh,this is exactly why we were knocked out of champions league,we performed well in the group stages with Morena,De Reuck,Mokoena and Mweene but in the quarter finals they brought their favourite Lebusa,Onyango,Kutumela and Maboe who was coming from a long injury.In the cup game we played 94 minutes without a single shoot in target.Stop your favouritism and play players on merit,Mailula’ contribution in that 10 minutes is better than Maema and Kutumela combined in all games they played.We missed the sharpness and creativity of Mbule and also bring back Motupa.Zwane and Williams had a great game.No team can match us pound for pound but we struggle bcoz of weak technical team.To start with useless Kutumela In that important game was straight subotage.