Mamelodi Sundowns ensured they got their DStv Premiership title defence off to the best start with a 2-1 victory over Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Goals from Peter Shalulile and Lucas Ribeiro ensure that Downs secured three points on opening night.
The game got off to an energetic start with Babina Noko pressing Masandawana high in their half and applying pressure on the defence. However it took only ten minutes for Masandawana to get a stronghold on the game.
Defender Edwin Gyimah’s handling error in the box left the referee with no choice but to award Sundowns with a penalty. Namibian striker Peter Shalulile stepped up to the penalty spot and buried the attempt to open the scoring for the new season.
The home side’s woes were compounded a few minutes later when Vuyisile Mncube picked a red card for a dangerous tackle on Teboho Mokoena. With Babinka Noko down to 10 men, Downs picked up the tempo and started creating chances in search of a second.
Aubrey Modiba went close next with a shot that was saved at the near post by Sekhukhune keeper Badra Sangare.Shots followed from Lucas Ribeiro and Shalulile shortly after however the breakthrough for the second was hard to come by and the two teams went into the with the away side ahead.
The second half began with a change, with Thapelo Maseko coming on for his debut in place of Aubrey Modiba. The speedy winger got stuck into the action right away and put in a dangerous ball early on in the second that had to be cleared away.
The energy from Maseko paid off as his pressing led to a mistake at the back , which he pounced on to set up Riberio who scored on his debut.
With Downs two goals up, the hosts were able to pull one back through to Jamie Webber who scored from a free kick.
With thirty minutes to play the technical team rung the changes, with Neo Maema coming on in place of the goal scorer Ribeiro. Junior Mendieta come on for his debut whilst Bongani Zungu and Grant Kekana entered the fry in added time to close out the result.
In the end, Masandawana held on to claim all three points on the road and start the thirty game league campaign with a win in match 1.
The action will come thick and fast and The Brazilians will make their way back home to gear up for their next match against rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
How we lined up: Williams, Modiba, Mudau, Boutouil, Lebusa, Allende, Mokoena, Coetzee, Zwane, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs; Pieterse, Kekana, Mvala, Mashego, Zungu, Maema, Mendieta, Mabena, Maseko
Shalulile missed two clear chances in the second half, a cross from Maseko and also a another one from Zwane, I wonder what he needs to say for him self, for a player if his ratings we expect him to deliver, the guy is not clinical enough in front of the goal post, I’ve watched him closely enough even in the previous season he had such moments where he could have given us a comfortable lead by taking those chances but he doesn’t,
He is a professional an playing for a club that pays him very well so the list he must deliver.
I get you Muzi…Shalulile is nowhere near the polished player…he has rough edges for sure….but I think the team loves him for his work ethic…he works tirelessly…and I agree he should be scoring more…let’s just agree that he contributes to a winning team. I thought yesterday’s game was below standards…our own standards…but it’s the first game of the season. I thought Modiba did well in the game….but perhaps he didn’t play to instructions…Ribeiro wasn’t convincing….lost a lot of balls….but let’s give him enough time….the team definitely needs to improve.
Greetings yellow Nation specially Motsepe Family ,Admin Board ,Kitchen staff and Everyone else.BUT not forgetting everyone who support this institution.
This one is for Players and Technical Team ,We are behind you keep up that winning Mentality.
Coming to the game I will rate it 1.5 out 10. Personally I am ok with the result and Play.
What I can say we are going to kill a lot of teams once we get to our first gear I see that they are trying to play on the blind side of the opponents.
Comments on Shalulile. we all know him what are his strengths. Reason he never went under development last season I mention that He should learn from Cash But than a Boy need love n support.
Our Brazilian need to settle down is coming from European environment but I love what I seen that left foot is sweater like our legend Roger .My concern is the late replacement I will never like that 5 or ten Minutes is the insult to me
Maseko done very well . that speed of him combined with of Morena and Shalulile when we press high and counter attack.
It’s too early to evaluate the direction of Sundowns even a lose against Kaizer Chiefs is still acceptable I know my fellow Dawanas will bite my head on this one.But what I’m trying to analyze is Sundowns once lose a single game they will never stumble until the end of the season.But I think we r over analyzing Shalile,that boy has been a top goal scorer for the past 3 years even after a long layoffs because of injuries but he was still competitive and counted among the best.His work rate,will to correct his mistakes and doing defensive jobs as well as running up field to score goals is what makes the coaches love him.But come Wednesday we will skin Chiefs alive unless they play anti-football or park the bus Kaboyelo we remain
This is the first game and i believe that Sundowns will improve and win many games
I just want to say, that Maseko is an excellent signing, wow what a player, he ticks all the boxes.
Tough game and we’ll be strong as the season progresses.I really think think Shalulile is a hard worker and he is not a good finisher and he always rushes things, he must learn to relax in the box and pick his spot but he is a very important part of the team,he just needs someone to play next to him like Mailula did,we need a good finisher to complement him. We are on the right track.I’m also concerned about late substitutions because they make no sense and you can’t say you are pushing time because time stop we substituting. We can’t just copy useless things rather have a meaningful substitution.It’s demoralising to enter the the pitch and not touch the ball.Do to others what you want to be done to you.