The last clash of 2020 in the DStv Premiership for Mamelodi Sundowns against Golden Arrows, ended in a draw with a goal apiece. A couple of changes were made in the team by the Masandawana technical team, Mothobi Mvala got an opportunity to make his debut, Grant Magerman also made his first start and lastly Promise Mkhuma was back in the first eleven this season.
Both sides came out to play great football and it showed as the Brazilians were the first ones put the foot on the pedal as Thapelo Morena made a move on the right-hand side to play in Lebo Maboe but the shot sailed over the goal not troubling the defence of the home side.
With the wind helping Masandawana, Lyle Lakay was a continuous threat with his crosses into the box and arrows goalkeeper Mlungisi Mlungwana had to be on his toes to keep any danger at bay. Lakay put in a quality corner in the sixteenth minute and debutant Mvala rose to head home his first goal. Abafana Bes’thende needed only six minutes to find the equaliser as Ntsako Makhubela found Micheal Gumede, whose header beat Denis Onyango in the near post. The two sides kept fighting for dominance of the ball possession and the first stanza saw the score one all.
Bafana Bastyle made a change at the start of the second half as Lesedi Kapinga came on for Promise Mkhuma to increase the number of attackers on the field. The home side had the wind and kept pushing and pumping those balls into the danger areas but Brian Onyango and Ricardo Nascimento stood tall to ensure that nothing went through them as they held the fort together.
Sibusiso Vilakazi who came back from a long-term injury in the last game against TS Galaxy, got more time to be on the field as he came on for Margeman, and Valdes showed his quality with his trademark close control and his fine touches. Bangaly Soumahoro also made an appearance of the bench for the Brazilians.
Masandawana end the year of unbeaten in the 20/21 league season and will end of the year with an away trip to Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana next week, as they kick off their CAF Champions League campaign.
How we lined up: D. Onyango, Morena, Lakay, Nascimento, B. Onyango, Jali, Mvala ( Soumahoro’83), Maboe, Mkhuma (Kapinga’45), Margeman (Vilakazi’57), Shalulile (Mudau’90).
SUBS: Mweene, Mudau, Domingo, Kapinga, Mkhize, Soumahoro, Vilakazi, Mdhluli, February.
Honestly speaking we went to Durban just to get a draw.I don’t understand why we saved players for what because that team from Botswana is not better than Arrows.Margerman is not our type of player next window period he should be sold or loaned out.I’m vey disappointed in our wisemen.
Performance was just below par. We were playing like a team-in-construction.Defensively we were vulnerable, moving forward we were disorganized, no space awareness with some of the players, sometimes playing back-balls unnecessarily. Kapinga should know at Sundowns we share the ball,othersise he will be on transfer list,come next season.
Leboh MABOE what a player. My appeal to our technical team please use MABOE to his natural position he used to play while he was still in the MARITZBURG FC SET UP which is central Midfield, his combination with Jali, Zwane, Morena, Shalulile will be deadly
I also concur with our fellow supporters. Our team starts to play boring kind of football. It’s high time now that we must find our starting XL, this thing of chopping and changing must come to an end yhoo. Most teams starts to grow confidence on the ball when they play against us, something that is unusual when playing against sundowns. According to me we should be on 22 points
The performance of the team was below par to say the least. Why fix it if it’s not broken? This chopping and changing line up at this stage of season is going to cost to drop points. What is happening with Serino?