Mamelodi Sundowns were the side that emerged triumphant against Kaizer Chiefs following a 2-1 thriller in a sold-out affair at the FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Lucas Ribeiro and Iqraam Rayners were the heroes who netted the winning goals on the day.
Coming from back-to-back victories in their league encounters, Bafana Ba Style looked to collect their first three points away from home.
Amakhosi had an electrifying start to the match, opening the scoring on the 9th minute through Ranga Chivaviro’s powerful finish. Despite the lively celebrations, coach Manqoba’s side remained composed, knowing there was more time to turn things around.
It was just after the half an hour mark when Ribeiro shot a cracker to level matters with the hosts. Five minutes later, Rayners added his name in the scoresheet to put his side ahead in the mouthwatering fixture. Masandawana went to the break with a goal advantage.
The Glamour Boys went back to the second stanza looking to find a leveller but with the changes coach Manqoba made, it proved hard for them to find the back of the net. They had a few clear-cut chances but Ronwen Williams was equally at work as he made crucial saves to deny the hosts a chance to net a goal or two.
The Brazilians also had a few threatening chances that came from Peter Shalulile but the Chiefs goalie made serious interceptions to keep the score at 2-1.
The victory at the Calabash meant that the Pretoria-based side continue with their winning ways in the inaugural Betway Premiership.
How we lined up: Williams, Lebusa, Coetzee, Kekana, Morena, Tiwani, Zwane, Allende, Ribeiro, Matthews, Rayners.
Subs: Onyango, De Reuck, Mudau, Modiba, Maboe, Mkhulise, Kodisang, Maseko, Shalulile.
Masandawana, While I am pleased with the 3 points, I believe we could have performed better overall. As a non-coach, I think the technical team made some tactical errors, which is disappointing given the wealth of experience between them. I’m still unsure about the reasoning behind some of the substitutions, and I’ve heard speculations from other members that these were made to keep everyone happy in the team, I hope this isn’t the case, as it would indicate that we’re heading in the wrong direction.
I’ve never seen our team look so vulnerable and with champions league on the horizon, one is concerned more than ever. I am not satisfied with how things went and hope that this will be fixed very soon. The less said about the cracks in our defense the better…that central pairing needs to up the game…to many elementary mistakes.
Happy with the team performance, not happy with how we closed the game, we were at the ropes while Kaizer Chiefs were jabbing, that’s not the Sundowns we know, they day the best way to defend is to attack (Rhulani did this so well) but were were literally defending and chiefs doing the attack, Ronwen Williams saved us, we gave the opponent the confidance to attack by taking out problematic players for them, let’s learn from this mistake.
Ighodaro must be recalled in January if wr are serious about Champs league,Shalulile needs to be benched now and I know some will say he was scoring for us let’s be patient for him but it was his job to score.
In defence Keagan and Kekana or de Reuck are much better than Lebusa.
Guys why are team is not fielding our youngsters in big games whereas other are just fielding them,really our coaches are cowards we can’t keep on praising players like Mofokeng,Mfundo Vilakazi and Shabalala etc as if we don’t have our own.
This thing is painfully to me I thought Manqoba will be brave and put Khoza partnered with Kekana but the poor guy was no where near the bench.
Dawanas pls those who have an excess to talk to the radio or TV sport shows just ask them on my behalf what do they call that pass from Chiefs to Du Preez where he was ahead of everyone he nearly scored but Ronwen saved it if they said Ribeiro was offside to me those passes are almost the same but they don’t talk about it.
Ya Downs are the most hated team in almost the whole world even Madrid or Man.City are better than us when it comes to hatred.
Victor “The Principal” Hlongwane says our 2nd goal was legitimate, and not offside. I want to watch it again on SoccerZone
Yes indeed member I was keep on changing the stations on my car even Malombo agreed that the second goal of Chiefs was a push to Lebusa and I wonder what are they gonna says abo Junior Khanye,Vilakazi and the new annoying Dingaan Mokebe Khumalo of Muvhango were insulted us painfully namanje I’m still angry at him but anyway akunandaba,lastly can someone tell our analysts Khensi and Tlotlo to respect Manqoba their favourite coach is gone and he will not come back soon maybe later sesaguga who knows.
Ribero was on side when he received the pass from Rivaldo!! I saw the replay highlights on sabc sport (Victor Hlungwane)!! He was level with the leg of Chiefs defender leg (Migue)!! On the last minute goal by Chiefs, there was a push on Lebusa by Chiefs defender!! Referee blew the whistle before even the goal was scored!! Watch on soccer zone starting now at 10pm
Congrats to the technical team and the players for doing us proud with a win against chiefs.The only problem we have at sundowns is that we never had speedy central defenders from the days of Pitso, if we play high line we get exposed because the centre backs lack speed.I do not know Khoza, however from what I saw in one game where he came on as sub, he seems to lack speed as well, and as such I would still prefer an experienced Lebusa than him.I also do not know Keegan I just hope that he has the speed.Sundowns can be world beaters if we can scout three tall and speedy centre backs like abo Koulibally,etc
The risky part at Sundowns is playing Lebusa a very vulnerable,unreliable defender anyway we will tolerate him when we need Kegan Johannes.I don’t know the reasoning in buying a 24 year old player and prefer an old slow mafdaa .Again had Mngqithi taken out Allende or Mathews or Rayners and bring on Mkhulise and Maboe we were not going 2 b on the edges of our chairs .Mngqithi &Kompela r starting to b the most stupid fools in that technical area its like brought everyone on the field just 2 play with no purpose. Coming 2 the game itself I was disappointed by SUPERSPORT commentary for implying that Ribeiro was offside and again for trying to say Chiefs goal was blown 4 offside whereas a Chiefs defender pushed Lebusa
As long as we’re still reliant on old Lebusa and Kekana we are going to concede in every game that we play,this is unlike Sundowns,I mean in some season we went 9 or 10 games without conceding.This season we played 3 games and conceded 2 goals.You can’t put your love for one player above the happiness of the entire yellow nation,Lebusa also made the same mistake against Marumo and we also conceded,you can’t run with a burst tyre and expect a car to move properly when you know that you need to replace a bursted tyre for your car to move properly.This precisely what Rulani did Mvala and we eventually lost our invincibility because of Rulani to Mvala.I really don’t know what Manqoba is suffering from,he’s good comments and plans and go on to implement completely different things.He was on about Lelthaku as the next best thing in mzanzi’s football now we don’t even see him on the bench,instead we see the likes of Modiba who plays like the road under maintenance with lots of stop and go,I don’t recall Sundowns ever having a young player of the season.He also said Maboe played well and it is difficult to drop him now he hasn’t played in two games yet he continue to play Lebusa for consistently making mistakes.Coach in soccer you need to improvise,innovates and be brave.The team looks good and exciting only when going forward but when defending we’re forever on the edge of our seats.If you can be able to implement what you said about Riva and Mokoena I think we will be solid in the middle.Now the elephant in the room is our centre backs.Sometimes I doubt if we’re having the right technical team because Broos spend short time with Zwane and he’s able to unleash the best of Zwane more than the coach who spend almost every day with him,read between the lines.This thing of honorary team selection must come t an end,we have the likes of February who are the future of the team but they are always in the stands,my question to the coaches,is Onyango going to be our next Williams?
Im happy we won but second half was a bit scrapy, every time the coach substitute we turn to, struggle. beating chiefs is good although they were those who think our second goal is offside but Victor Hlungwani clarity everything. even if it was offside i will be happy caz chiefs was robbing us Rhophman cup
I wonder if lebusa is paying our coach to field him. Only God knows