Goals from new signing Kekana and Peter Shalulile ensured that Mamelodi Sundowns returned to PSL action in excellent fashion as they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 in their first game after the September international break.
With the sun blazing in Pretoria, Masandawana came flying out and determined to make an instant impact. Full back Lyle Lakay delivered a wonderful free kick straight to the far post to meet Grant Kekana who was well positioned to head the ball past Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, granting Kekana his first goal of the season for his new club. Kekana’s goal was exactly what The Brazilians needed after being tested by a tricky Chiefs side in the opening stages.
Amakhosi were fully determined to spoil the party at Loftus Versfeld, Keagan Dolly’s cross towards the goal was met by his teammate Samir Nurkovic whose shot came close to goal and posed a great threat for the hosts, however, Downs’ goalie Denis Onyango was ready for the test.
A goalscoring opportunity followed for Masandawana, this time striker Peter Shalulile combined with Themba Zwane who came face to face with Chiefs’ goalkeeper in the area, however Zwane was unfortunate as he slipped and lost possession. The visitors looked to go the other way on the counter-attack, as they charged towards Onyango in goal, Dolly’s strike outside the box went just wide of the goal.
A great display of football ensued as both teams tried penetrating each other’s defences, while Bafana Ba Style looked for a second goal before the half time, opponents Chiefs worked over time to find an equalizer. Amakhosi finally got their chance to level matters in the last minute before the break with Khama Billiat’s backheel pass to Nurkovic unsuccessfully capitalized.
Masandawana made changes early in the second half with a double substitution of Thabiso Kutumela and Neo Maema replacing Kermit Erasmus and Gaston Sirino. It did not take long for the substitutions to pay off as Maema squeezed the ball between Chiefs’ defenders into the box to Peter Shalulile who added a sublime second goal for Downs. The Namibian scored his first goal of the season for Masandawana and Maema provided his first assist for his new team.
Pavol Safranko was next be be given a chance off the bench and Bafana Ba Style looked to control the game towards the end of the second half, settling into more of a rhythm.
Andile Jali and Rivaldo Coetzee largely restricted Amakhosi’s movements in the middle of the, defending their box effectively and shielding the attacks launched by the Soweto giants.
Coetzee’s handball in the box threatened Masandawna’s clean sheet as the referee awarded a penalty to Chiefs. The relief inside the ground was palpable when Lebohang Manyama’s penalty shot hit the crossbar and Downs retained the lead.
The victory pushes Downs up to first place in the table after three matches in the DStv premiership.
This is how we lined up: D. Onyango, L. Lakay, R. De Reuck, R. Coetzee, G. Kekana, T. Morena, A. Jali, T. Zwane (67’ P. Safranko), G. Sirino (58’ T. Kutumela), K. Erasmus (58’ N. Maema), (83’ H. Domingo) P. Shalulile.
Subs: N. Maema, S. Mkhulise, H. Domingo, B. Onyango, T. Kutumela, A. Modiba, N. Maema, P. Safranko, S. Vilakazi.
Morning Dawanas nice line up yesterday yielded good game and positive result.
To our Wisemen that’s what We always crying for from the past few games, just field skilfully players and the result will come and I wonder what will happen to our opponents once we unleash Pule Maraisane.
Our defence was good and I was sceptical when we signed Grant Kekana but the guy proved us wrong what a combination he have with de ReuckI like it..
Another minor problem I have with my team when its our home game pks don’t water logged the pitch profusely because it came back to haunt us,our players were slippering look at that incident of Zwane in the eighteen area were he slipped if it wasn’t too much water surely it would be a good scoring opportunity in what he was trying to do,lastly Sirino must start from the bench he was too casual.Kby forever.
Andile Jali was excellent in the middle, Coetzea controlled the tempo, Shalulile ran all over the pitch, Erusmas was good on protecting the ball.
Moema – wow, Kutumela – Tjo
De Reuch and Kekana made defending looks simple.
Kabo yellow
The key to our win is good team selection,Down always play on a front.The weakest was Eramus the guy don’t deserve to start with a game,he gives us nothing when we defend or attack,towards the end of last season we murdered teams using Motupa/Shaulile combination,why fix it if is not broken.Motupa can run with the ball,press the defenders,collect the ball and dribble oppenents whereas Romeo is too lazy to do that,he sometimes switches of when we don’t have the ball.I think next time we should start with Motupa for Erasmus and Kutumela for Sirino.Just imagine if we have 3 players who can press from the front.My biggest concern is,we don’t have players who can replace both Zwane and Jali,when we replace Zwane we don’t have someone who can relax with the ball,dictate the pace of the game and do those combination play and,when Jali is not in we lack some who can break opposition’s moves and attack at the same time,we lack that AJ arrogance on the ball.Onyango turns to hold on to the ball for too long after a back pass and don’t pass the defense when they are free,he waits until we are pressurized knowing very well that he is not good on feet.Lastly big up to the technical for a good team selection and early substitutions.Teams should always fear us not the other way round.You don’t have an excuse for not winning both MTN8 and a league this season,we want to set a record (winning the league 5 times in a row) that no team will be able to break it in the days of our lives.
Seconded member on Onyango oneday that guy will cost us big time, he knows very well that he’s a bad passer of the ball and he doesn’t have a speed,fast strikers will dispossessed him oneday and its disgusting to watch him doing that all the time.
On replacement of Zwane we have Mkhulise or Kutumela who can dictate the tempo of the game and Sirino must pull up his socks really.
Good line up equals good results, thanks to the players and technical team, however , Sirino is wasteful , he gives possession over many times and its high time that he starts from the bench and Kutumela to fill his shoes. Motupa also can start and Romeo to come in as a sub. On the overall the line up was good.
Hey masandawana I’m happy with the win and the line up was good.
Good game Masandawana
Played well, so relaxed on the ball,I enjoyed that.
Romeo’s confidence is down but he will be fine.
Thanks boys and technical team.
Good win for the boys but i have got few areas that i want to raise! I think Romeo and Sirino need to start from the bench! Those 2 positions can be occupied by Kutumela for Sirino and Motopa for Kermit! I did not like the casual approach of those 2 guys! Even their work rate was not impressive for me! Jali played very well as usually! He really worked hard and at the end of the game he was cramping very badly and i wonder why the coaches did not have another defensive midfielder on the bench! I believe Gift Motopa had a good show when he was given a chance towards the end of the season lastime but i wonder what is the reason for the wisemen not to even consider him on the substitute bench! Kutumela is very hungry to play! Please coaches afford an opportunity to start in one of our games! The sooner the better! Goodluck Masandawan going forward
Like Rhulani said, good performance by the entire team. Jali was a beast as usual. I agree with the guys. Very good starting lineup. Safranko yet to convince me. Im glad to be proven wrong but I don’t see it. To the coaches, even siblings have their differences. It just needs to be managed