Mamelodi Sundowns are back to winning ways in the DStv Premiership after beating Richards Bay 1-0 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Thapelo Morena was the hero of the day when he netted the only goal just before the 25th minute in the encounter, scoring his second goal of the season for The Brazilians. Masandawana got off to a dominant start even though they had made six changes in their line up that played in the CAF Champions League over the weekend.
Terrence Mashego was the first player in the encounter to draw first blood from the left side of the pitch, but the Richards Bay goalie, Salim Magoola got down low to collect the attempt. A few minutes later, the visitors also tried their luck at funding a early opener, Ronwen Williams jumped high up to make a comfortable save from a mid air ball played into his box.
After ten minutes had been played with both teams looking to settle into the encounter, Masandawana’s midfield Sphelele Mkhulise placed in a perfectly timed cross into the box where his teammate Cassius Mailula was positioned and the striker tried to turn away from the defenders to take a shot, but he was heavily marked and eventually dispossessed of the ball. Another Sundowns attacking opportunity was created, Bongani Zungu headed his attempt at goal but it was collected by the goalkeeper who was well positioned in his territory.
After playing for twenty minutes, the Natal Rich Bous eventually picked up their pace and began to throw the balls forward. Sanele Barns pulled off with speed from the back when his goalkeeper played the ball to his feet, the attacer struck the ball into the hands of Williams before falling over.Another chance for Barns came when his teammate, Luvuyo Memela played the ball to him but the attacker shot wide to the side of the net as they began to grow into the contest.
Bafana Ba Style continued to play their possessional footbal and carved out the better openings and a goal was inevitable. Richards Bay defenders failed to clear Mkhulise’s cross that was played into the box, Morena pounced on to the loose ball and put Masan6in the lead. Morena was involved in another goal threatening opportunity moments later, the winger cut back the ball to his teammate but the defenders swept out the ball and regained possession of play.
A double substitution of Thabiso Kutumela and Gaston Sirino was made, replacing Mailula and Nasir after half an hour into the match. The two substitutes were on form from the get go and showed energy in their attacks, Sirino connected with Kutumela who changed forth to take shot at goal, but his low shot went into the hands of Magoola.
In the final moments if the first half, Morena laid the ball to Lebohang Maboe who tried to have a go at goal but was let down by the direction of his shot when he fired wide. Downs went into the break leading by a goal and held a ball possession of 64%, while the visitors looked to chase the game from behind.
Five minutes into the second half, Barns took a shot at goal which was on target and Williams came out of his line to stop the attack but was late to get his hands on the ball. Mosa Lebusa brilliantly cleared the goal from line showing good cover. Lebusa had just stepped in to the field of play together with Ntando Nkosi when the second half kicked off, replacing Morena and Sipho Mbule.
Richards Bay looked determined to pull one back as the game entered the final thurd, Barns combined with Somola Ntsundwana who took an on target shot but Williams pushed out the ball. Mpho Mathebula hit the crossbar with his long shot outside the box when Ntsundwans laid the ball back to him. With the visitors desperate to equalize, Masandawana tightened up their defense, forcing Richards Bay to take long range shots outside the box.
Langelihle Mhlongo put in a cross into the box where his teammate, Simphiwe Mncibeka was positioned to take a shot at Williams but his effort was blocked by the team work of Williams and Mudau who cleared the ball out. Thee score remained 1 – 0 in the Capital and The Brazilians added 3 points to their tally in the DStv Premiership, with 65 points.
This is how we lined up:
Williams, Mashego, Boutouil (45′ Lebusa), Morena (45′ Mudau), De Reuck, Zungu, Mkhulise, Mbule (45′ Nkosi), Mailula, (29′ Sirino) Nasir (29′ Kutumela), Maboe
Subs:
Mweene, Mvala, Lebusa, Sirino, Kutumela, Mudau, Modiba, Nkosi, Zwane.
Thank you guys for the win today even though you’re jet legged but they’re players whom are not adding value to our team anymore,players like Sirino yes I meant him the guy is very useless he looses the ball cheaply and afraid of tackling and the following are Coetze,Saavedra injury prone and Kutumela,Motupa hope our Chairman will release them they’re getting paid for nothing.Kby forever
Morning yellow Nation as the Family .Well done to the Boys you fights all the battles for us .Playing that game without training it was massive results.
Mate I would like to agree and disagree with some of the names you have mention. Firstly playing sport is like any other employment . When you are always sick at work they don’t fire you and that’s why big Companies they have Medical Aid .Being unlucky with injuries it really affects mentally we just need to understand and support our players. But Signing Kutumela and Erasmus it never made sense to me.The last game Saavedra He played and pickup the injury I saw some good staff there and after the game He cried.
You never down look people when they have Challenges
Like yesterday I really laugh at Maboe ,He was a shadow of himself nothing came to party for him .That’s is the results of injuries I am so proud of Rulani for not replacing him.