Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a sizzling 2-0 victory against Polokwane City to secure a sixth consecutive triumph in the 2023-24 DStv Premiership season.
Masandawana got things underway at the Peter Mokaba Stadium and held on to possession for much of the opening proceedings. The home team tested Ronwen Williams first with a cross from the right side, Given Mashikinya received the ball in the 18 area and put his shot into the hands of Williams.
Downs regained possession and continued to pile up pressure on their opponents, Marcelo Allende was brought down in the box by City’s captain Bulelani Nikani. Lucas Ribeiro stepped in front of the ball to take the penalty and struck home past Lindokuhle Mathebula with his left foot, scoring goal number four for Bafana Ba Style.
In the twenty-third minute, The defending champions displayed swift teamwork as Aubrey Modiba intercepted a pass, initiating a build up moment that involved Themba Zwane and Ribeiro. The Brazilian forward, Ribeiro, set up Maema for a shot attempt, but unfortunately, Maema’s strike went off-target and Polokwane City regained possession.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, Maema managed to deliver a cross into the box, which took an unexpected deflection off a defender. Ribeiro attempted to seize the opportunity but was flagged offside. A promising moment arose for Sundowns when Allende’s precise free-kick delivery over the defenders found Rivaldo Coetzee in the right position to go for goal. Rivaldo used his head to flick the ball towards the goal, but the Polokwane City keeper made a save to deny another goal.
Ribeiro continued to showcase his aggressiveness by relentlessly pressuring the defenders, his efforts led to a crucial ball-winning opportunity, and he attempted a shot at goal. However, the shot lacked power, allowing City’s goalie to easily collect the ball. As the game progressed towards half time, Mashikinya won the ball in the midfield for his team and swiftly linked up with Douglas Mapfumo in an advanced position. Mapfumo took a shot at the goal, but unfortunately, his attempt went off target, skewing away from the intended trajectory.
The first half concluded with Mamelodi Sundowns in the lead, holding a 1-0 advantage over Polokwane City. The match continued to provide moments of excitement and anticipation for both sides, but it was Masandawana that had taken most shots in the first half, five compared to the three of Rise and Shy, and they also led with possession of 74.9% to 25.1%.
When the teams returned for the second half action, Zwane connected with Allende who struck a long shot at City’s keeper but saw his attempt saved over the crossbar when Mathebula extended his arms. Ribeiro got to the end of Zwane’s rebound shot that struck the post, he fired the ball into the back of the net, securing his second goal of the encounter and extending Downs’ lead. Junior Mendieta was the first player to come off for Masandawana, Lesiba Nku was introduced as his replacement.
The game saw exchanges of passes between Zwane and Maema, building up an attacking play. Zwane managed to beat the goalkeeper but his left-footed strike veered off target, missing the mark for a potential goal-scoring opportunity. As the match progressed, the next set of substitutions took place after the hour mark, Teboho Mokoena and Grant Kekana went off for Sundowns, while Bathusi Aubaas and Mosa Lebusa joined the action.
Zwane found himself fouled near the arch, setting up a promising free-kick opportunity. Nku and Allende positioned themselves to take the free kick, but it was the Chilean player, who ultimately took the shot and saw his ball go slightly over the goalposts, missing the target. Another attacking opportunity for Masandawana showed up, Maema and Allende charged towards goal. The opposing goalkeeper had no choice but to rush out of his line, using his feet to clear the ball and prevent a potential scoring opportunity.
In the last fifteen minutes, Bathusi Aubaas initiated a throw-in, directing the ball to Maema who then found Zwane, the midfielder attempted to test the opposition’s defense with a shot on goal. Unfortunately for him, the attempt went over the goalposts. Maema and Nku had their chances at goal in the final play of the clash, but saw their attempts go to the side of the net. Maboe, who was making his second appearance for The Brazilians this season was sent off after receiving a red card for a foul on Thabang Matuludi.
How we lined up: Williams, Kekana (63’ Lebusa), Mvala, Coetzee, Mokoena (63’ Aubaas), Allende (80’ Seabi), Ribeiro, Zwane (80’ Maboe), Mendieta (55’ Nku), Maema, Modiba
Subs. D. Onyango, Lebusa, Aubaas, Maboe, Mashego, Seabi, Nku, Mabena, Nkosi.
Definitely a better match than the last. The combination/schemes were better… Maema, Allende, Modiba and evergreen Zwane were very good today… Mendieta is overeager…. Anxious… He needs to relax… You belong to a top team…. Don’t try to justify yourself. You are a very good player. Today you worked really hard… So just play normal. The players also need know that we are not criticizing but its our observation of what happened in the match… We love all our plyers
Spot on member,we need to work on our finishing and decision making in the final third,these two aspects of our game if failing us big time.This season we seem to be getting unnecessary bookings and that need some serious addressing. Mendeita must just stop tackling all the time.My biggest concern is our over reliance on Zwane,he is our magician but we seem to be shapeless, out of thoughts and lack creativity when he is not playing,we must work on creating Zwaneless Sundonws,we need someone who can do the same job for us when he is rested or substituted and i think Mbule,Mabena or Thando Nkosi can fill perform that role,otherwise we are a well oiled weapon of mass destruction.