A triumph in a sold-out affair and a crucial top-of-of-the-log clash was a momentous occasion and what Mamelodi Sundowns needed in this campaign’s tight title chase, but it came easy when they scaled Orlando Pirates 4-1 on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld.
The kick-off whistle was blown while the hosts were still saluting the Yellow Nation and the visitors took advantage of the opportunity as they immediately took the shot to Down’s half but Ronwen Williams, who was already backtracking to the area managed to catch the ball that was lobbed to his bucketed hands.
By the 10th minute, there had already been at least five set pieces awarded which were shared between the two sides, one which saw Masandawana take the lead. From a freekick taken by Marcelo Allende, Grant Kekana was able to connect to the blasted shot which he struck into the roof of the net on the 13th minute.
With a relentless Orlando Pirates side that continued to look for a leveler, the Brazilians needed a second goal to double their advantage and it eventually came 14 minutes later through Lucas Ribeiro. The ball came from a Teboho Mokoena who had made a good run from Downs’ half to feed it to the Brazilian who went past the Pirates markers to hit an audacious shot into the bottom corner of the net, which sent Loftus Versfeld into a frenzy.
Masandawana were applying pressure on the press and causing their rivals to lose balls. The Buccaneers also had opportunities to put one behind the net but Williams together with his backline didn’t allow it, making their side head to the break with a two-goal advantage.
The visitors looked like they had a game plan devised to get themselves back into the game in the second stanza but things didn’t go according to plan as they wasted many balls. Eventually, their efforts were rewarded with a long range shot which took a deflection and went past Williams to give them their only goal of the match. Two minutes later, Ribeiro put his side back into a two-goal lead when he drilled in the ball and beat the Pirates goalkeeper after he connected well with Iqraam Rayners’ ball on the face of goal.
To seal the victory, Mokoena hit an elusive goal through his famous long-range effort that sent the keeper towards the right direction but didn’t stand a chance to block it. Despite dominating ball possession, the Soweto-based side could not capitalise on it. For Bafana Ba Style, the victory means they are nine points clear on top of the Betway Premiership log and will look to continue their dominance when they travel for a midweek clash to face TS Galaxy.
How they lined up: Williams ©, Mokoena, Adams, Kekana, Suarez, Ribeiro, Allende, Modiba, Morena, Rayners, Shalulile.
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Khoza, Tiwani, Johannes, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Maseko, Matthews.
A great game indeed yesterday&ppl were starting 2 forget who we r.We r Sundowns.We wanted 3 points more than Orlando Pirates &the soccer gods were smiling together with us.Find of the season Adams,Suarez came 2 the party and we were balanced in all departments.We went 2 sleep in the 1st 10 minutes of 2nd half,the goal of Orlando Pirates woke us up 4 our slumber.Then it was Sundowns,Sundowns &more Sundowns our form came when we needed it most&we rose 2 the occasion.Miguel Cardosso &Sundowns supporters who were in the stadium ur fantastic u deserve a Bells.Ribeiro&Allende u deserve mention we questioned ur commitment 2 the team bt we kind of took&vent our frustrations on u.But we can’t keep quiet when we see with our eyes what u r doing.Kaboyelo I remain..
Well done to the boyz and the technical team. It was such a great football match to watch, even though the pitch and weather were not conducive to the best football match. This team deserves to play in a fully-packed stadium every week. We’re picking form at the right time and we should be ready by the time the Champions League resumes. I like the way the coach is managing the team, even though he’s indicated the team doesn’t have time to train together due to the fixture congestion. We played so well in all departments, with the players supporting each other both in defence and attack. I see even Ribeiro has improved in terms of releasing the ball faster, an indication that the coach is speaking to him on his shortcomings. We’ve signed gems in both Suarez and Jayden Adams, I can’t wait to see Cupido playing as well because I know he’s one of those ball-playing defenders just like Suarez
Let us give coach Cardoso his flowers, the man is doing well.His planning, strategy and tactics are second to none, he won the match just by putting up a very strong line up that was suitable ri deal with the team of Pirates calibre, and the approach was superb.All the players played well.To SAFA and Broos, please do not sleep on the job, Reberio is supposed to be in Bafana Bafana already because he indicated that he is available.Many african players play for thier adopted nations abroad so what is defferent with us?
I’m still waiting for those supporters that were still accusing and insulting Flemming Berg that he’s got a hidden agenda of killing Sundowns,now everyone is boasting and bragging about how good Downa is to other team’s supporters forgetting to swallow their pride and apologise to the poor guy,some where even said Cardoso never won in his coaching career he’s a plumber let’s recall Rhulani we are going nowhere with this coach.
It’s painful in life when people just crucyf and complete their judgement even before you start to perform what you’re employed for,the Management and our Chairman are not stupids they know what are they doing and they will want good things for our team all the time.
Our problem we listen to our rivals too much as if they like us Vilakazi and Khanyi predicted they Downs will end in position four even other journalists were calling him a plumber but now he’s a top notch coach.
Flemming Berg said he’s job is to recommend but the final decision lies with Management,the Board and Chairman PLS let’s learn to respect and appreciate if someone is doing a good job and eat the humble pie in a good way.Kby forever.
Let’s give credit where is due, never had such an astute coach like Cardoso in a decade,the man knows his story,no one has ever complained of favoritism on this platform since Cardoso took over. He is a good reader of the game,under our previous three coaches i used to say we are tactically bankrupt and now under Cardoso we are tactically filthy rich.He makes substitutions based on the demand of the game not for the sake of doing it,he varies play based on the opponents not playing one size fits all type of an approach unlike our previous coach who wanted 1000 passes,you can make 1000 passes and end up losing the game.I would respect a coach who say i want to score 10 goals because there is no way you can score 10 goals and lose a game and also those goals can help you when you have the same points with the opposition in the league and 1000 passes will never assist you anywhere. Costa is a totally reformed player,him and Shalulile helped a team too much even in defending.We have skilful and technically gifted players and straight forward football will make us demolish our opponents not the constant playing at back football we have adopted and Saturday’s game is a huge testimony to that.The Sky is the limit Masandawana.