Mamelodi Sundowns continued their fine run of form with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United at the Emirates in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday.
Goals from Aubrey Modiba and Peter Shalulile were enough to move the Tshwane giants to 61 points at the top of domestic league log standings.
Masandawana delivered a magnificent performance in Johannesburg with their confidence high after reaching the Nedbank Cup finals three days ago. A feisty round of attack began with Sekhukhune United’s captain Yusuf Maart looking for an early opener, his efforts however went over the bar with little work for Downs goalie.
Bafana Ba Style remained dominant in their style of play and continued with build up from the back, an attacking movement upfront saw Themba Zwane being fouled just outside Sekhukhune’s box. Modiba was tasked with the responsibility to take the set-piece, the left footer put the ball into the box but unfortunate to connect it to any of his teammates as it was cleared out by the defenders.
The Brazilians took control of the game for much of the opening half, playing on the front foot and pushing Babina Noko to defend. Gaston Sirino took his chance at goal with a fierce shot outside the box, with Toaster Nsaba late to make the save for Sekhukhune, the ball went right past the far post. Chibuike Ohizu missed a brilliant opportunity for Sekhukhune from his skipper’s delivery after the direct free kick slipped out of Reyaad Pieterse’s hands from range.
Just before the half hour mark of fine defending from Sekhukhune, Bafana Ba Style did create more as half time approached, and got their goal. Mshishi was excellent in his display as he set up Modiba for a fine shot, the 26-year-old took his chance from a few meters away and connected perfectly with the ball as he struck one for his team to be upfront in the contest.
The hosts had their moments to push their players up the pitch and create some problems for Downs when they got the opportunity. Vusimuzi Mncube was persistent in his movements towards attack on the right side of the pitch until he was brought down by Lebohang Maboe. After getting an opportunity to equalize from Mncube’s foul outside the box, Roderick Kabwe tried his luck but Pieterse was well ready to clear the ball out.
The hosts looked more active as the half time break approached, but Masandawana maintained their lead.
The defending Champions upped the tempo again after the restart as they looked to reassert their earlier dominance, Nsabatha made a save from Downs set-piece and immediately regained possession for his team. Pogiso Mahlangu snatched the ball from Sirino as the Uruguay international was still in his own half, a cross well put in was powerlessly headed by Nkanyiso Madonsela as Pieterse made the save.
A few more chances followed for Babina Noko, Mncube darted away on the right side of the field, only to be blocked by Modiba before he could take any shit at goal. One superb sweeping move upfield soon had Peter Shalulile in action, but his header drifted off target. Sirino went close again with an arrowed drive from a tight angle but saw hid close-range effort saved by Nsabatha.
The hosts seemed to be content to play in their own defensive third, inviting Downa to pass the ball in front of them, planning to stop the ball coming in to the penalty area, Zwane served an excellent cutback in the box but his teammates were delayed. After moments of missing out on chances, Pieterse’s shot from his goalposts went all the way into the opponents third with Shalulile who tried to burry the chance for Masandawana but slightly went off target.
The Namibian international finally doubled the lead for The Brazilians in the dying moments of the game. An error in defense from Edwin Gyimah who missed the chance to clear Thabiso Kutumela’s pass was the factor in the extension of the lead, Shalulile scored his 22nd goal of the season in the DStv Premiership and remains the top goalscorer for the 2021/22 season.
This is how we lined up:
- Pieterse, M. Lebusa ©, G. Kekana, K. Mudau, G. Sirino (66′ Motupa), A. Modiba (83′ Lunga), S. Mkhulise, N. Maema (66′ Kutumela), T. Zwane (83′ Maraisane), L. Maboe (66′ Motupa), P. Shalulile.
Subs:
- Mweene, D. Lunga, T. Kutumela, T. Mokoena, L. Lakay, S. Mkhulise, T. Morena, G. Motupa, L. Kapinga P. Maraisane
Good perfomance by da boys,however Im worried abt 2 think,firstly;da continuous substitution of Sirino,too me it seems like its a pre planned substitution to such an extent dat no matter how well he plays,he’s is still gonna get substituted,as for wat reason I dnt know…….secondly;Lebohang Maboe gives away possession way too cheaply for some1 who has played for Sundowns for 4 years,yesterday he gave away possession 6 times in the first half(sec half I did not count)