Mamelodi Sundowns registered a second win on the bounce following an excellent 2-1 victory over Lamontville Golden Arrows in Tshwane.
A late goal from Peter Shalulile gave Bafana Ba Style the lead going into the break. The visitors pulled one back early in the restart of the second half, but a deflection on Themba Zwane’s shot sealed the win for The Brazilians. Downs also handed Sifiso Ngobeni his debut in the evening’s encounter.
The opening 15 minutes were frantic for both teams, the two sides looked to settle in and find their rhythm. Downs defender Khuliso Mudau was involved in an alarming clash to the head and went down to the ground to receive treatment. After the right back was assessed and sent back into action, he showed to be alert and prepared to stop the visitors’ counter attack.
Moments later Shalulile almost struck first, the Namibian forward lost his man and connected with Mudau’s incoming cross, his effort was denied by Nkosingiphile Gumede! Despite the hosts showing intent, Abafana Best’thende did not hold back and forced Ronwen Williams to make the save from the effort that came in from distance.
Shalulile missed another opportunity after the half hour, the striker’s attempt at goal from a narrow angle had everyone sitting at the edge of their seats. As the first half was reaching the end with both teams unable to break the deadlock, The Brazilians talisman pounced forward and came face to face with the goalkeeper who fouled him in the box. After the referee pointed to the penalty spot, Shalulile stepped up and buried his spot kick to give the home team the lead going into the break.
The visitors came out in the second half and pushed forward in the early stages of replay, Pule Mmodi pulled one back for Arrows from a throw-in and leveled the score line. But parity in the scoreline would last just 10 minutes before Zwane put Downs ahead once again, Mshishi’s cut back into the box deflected on Siyavuya Ndlovu and beat his own goalkeeper.
Downs made three changes at the start of the hour mark, sending on Neo Maema, Erwin Saavedra and Teboho Mokoena in place of Sipho Mbule, Sphelele Mkhulise and Allende. Just before 70 minutes, Shalulile got away with spee to make his way into the box, his pass towards goal was cleared by the Arrows defense. Maema shortly followed with his first attempt, after lining up a strike from distance his effort edges the crossbar.
The Brazilians’ attempt to find another goal continued for another 10 minutes, Mokoena attempted from a distance to test Gumede, but could not find Gumede. Masandawana remained at the top of the DStv Premiership log with the game ending with a successful 2-1 victory at home.
This is how we lined up:
- Williams, S. Ngobeni(75′ Lakay), K. Mudau, M. Mvala, R. De Reuck, Zwane (86′ Kekana), A. Jali © , S. Mkhulise (60′ Saavedra), S. Mbule (60′ Maema), M. Allende (60′ Mokoena), P. Shalulile
Subs: D. Onyango (GK), T. Morena, G. Kekana, C. Mailula, E. Saavedra, K. Lakay, L. Kapinga, T. Mokoena, N. Maema,
Good game against arrows but what matters is three points, we concede soft goal though
Very good game… Allende looks like he’s gonna need time… He wasn’t bad… He still needs to gel with the team. De Reuk was almost excellent… Man of the match for me. Jali immense as usual.. I’ve said too much about Mudau… His work rate is out of this world. Mkhulise was also very good… He makes the team fluid, like Zwane… Good display overall. I worry a little bit about Shalulile taking penalties… He isn’t smooth… And I think he’s going to miss quite a few… But as a supporter I will support him… He will need to practice a lot as he doesn’t the best touch. But we love him… He’s been very good for the team… Work rate also is outstanding.
Mgqithi we won like we were playing an away match or elsewhere in a Caf game,really we were grinding this result,as if we were playing the first game of the season or we were finalizing or on the finish line of the season.We are not fluid at all.I’m very much unimpressed that the coaches will leave Abubaker Nasir the best striker in the league just to play finder finder kind of a game.As for unveiling Zungu in a packed stadium and not give him game time just to accommodate Mngqithi&Rulani playing with our emotions leaves a lot to be desired.Zungu is supposed to be playing where Jali is operating and Jali moved to the middle of the park instead of waisting Jali’s energy assisting defenders.Jali knows how to bulldoze opponents instead of always complaining about this stupid low block strategy.Its high time Mngqithi&Rulani to tell u the truth and only the truth stop playing with our emotions now its enough.You are so much under pressure to select Allende and if we may ask who are trying to convince.Mbule,Mokoena and Maema pull up your socks please.We won’t just be happy for a mere win but win with dignity.To get 3 points doesn’t mean we pretend as if this was a game we needed to see,that a Sundowns home game, and again where ever place you are hiding Nasir bring him back to score those goals and we know you are having pressure from Ethiopian media to field the boy,and right do the honorable thing by bringing the boy with his talent on the field of play .Making cheap excuses about people parking the bus is not what we want to hear now.Sundowns is about to play its tenth game yet there’s no cohesion no fluidity but lame excuses.We r vulnerable at the back we should look at reinforcing the defense with Tariq Fielies&injuries are coming thick and fast at the back.Again I’m not impressed by Lakay’s defending,I have to Divine Lunga is not supposed to be at Golden Arrows.Please good people if we won yesterday don’t expect us to go with the flow&pretend as if we are on the right track nooooo!!!!!!!De Reuck finished the game limping who will be playing at the back we are very thin now but that’s something that isn’t on our control no one can control that but a local central defender was the right option,now we r still waiting for Home Affairs to naturalize Shalulile so that we can register this Morro Morrocan defender.
Well done Masandawana for the three points. All fifteen teams are plotting our downfall. It’s not easy for you coaches. Winning five championship in a row is unheard of in the psl. We are behind you all the way. Injuries,illnesses,suspensions will be with us. Kekana and Onyango, our two central defenders are injured. Well done to Mvala for filling the void.
KaboYellow
Yaaah, you’re such a true supporter Ronnie, unlike most of us on this blogging platform who’re just fans. Keep it up brother, I wish I can be like you as well.
We are more concerned with negative possession football than efficient offensive football hence we had 2 shots on target in minutes and this is not on.AJ made more stray passes in the 2nd half than good passes and his passing game is forever dropping down.I was very much impressed with Ngobeni and Mbule,with more game time they will be unstoppable.loved Mbule’s hunger arrogance on the ball,he managed to unlock and turn the Arrows defense with passes.Mvala played well at the back,i was scared when he got yellow card bcoz he is forever aggressive.