Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw by Soweto-based side Moroka Swallows in what was an entertaining clash on Monday evening at the Dobsonville Stadium. It was goals in each half from Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende that ensured that Masandawana collect a point away from home.
The defending champions were in control from the moment the kick off whistle was blown, as they dominated possession, but were unable to capitalise and find an opener within the half hour mark.
Masandawana were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Peter Shalulile was fouled. The set piece was taken by Mokoena and found by Lucas Ribeiro. His opportunity unfortunately deflected. Another big opportunity posed danger in the Dube Birds penalty area following a big chance from Shalulile as he faced the net but there were plenty of bodies which denied him a goal with a clearance.
Eventually, on the 37th minute, a haphazard rocket shot from Mokoena at range eluded Moroka Swallows’ goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, which gave the visitors a perfect start, after the numerous chances created. The two sides headed to the break with one goal separating them.
The second half kicked off with two well executed big chances from the home side, but luckily Ronwen Williams was switched on as he blocked what could have been an equaliser. It was, however, Downs, through Allende who curbed the second goal on the 51st minute. He made a run outside the box and hit a shot that went past Akpeyi.
It didn’t take long before the Dube Birds could roar back through a strong finish. It started off with a cross that Williams couldn’t hold off which Swallows capitalised from to make it 2-1. It didn’t take long for Musa Nyatama’s men to shoot another one to the net to level matters.
With seven minutes of added time, Bafana Ba Style tried to score a last gasp goal before the final whistle but were unable to make the most of their opportunities and had to settle for sharing the spoils with their counterparts.
How we lined up: Williams, Mudau, Modiba, Lunga, Mvala, Mokoena, Aubaas, Allende, Lorch, Ribeiro, Shalulile.
Subs: D. Onyango, Boutouil, Morena, Mbule, Maema, Mabena, Matthews, Zwane, Nku.
We can blame our players as much as we like but the elephant in the room is the coach,poor players are just victims like we’re,if they don’t follow instructions they will find themselves in the stands, this Rulani boy is on a mission to destroy our team,sometimes I think he’s playing betway,he plays Lunga as centre back and natural centre back AB wing back,just imagine having pacy Mudau and Lunga as our wing backs,we can unlock stubborn defense with ease.How can we have set pieces specialist and concede more goals on set pieces?
Eish member it’s tough Rhulani need to be told that we want Champs League nomakanjani and he puts Downs name into disrepute by saying the referee robbed us yesterday instead of congratulating Swallows for coming back,the so called internationals or big players are doing as they pleased because he’s too friendly with them,Ronwen leaves the poles in every games we sometimes feel nervous the way he’s conducting himself you will find him next to centre line and a clever player will punish him one-day.
Another thing everytime when we are playing they tell us about injured players but on practise matches the very same injured are running like Usain Bolt it reminds me of Brockie when they said he’s injured and responded by saying I’m not, players like Maboe,Rivaldo,Seabi de Reuck etc
for the first time yesterday I saw sundowns let two goals lead sleaps, why this coach keeps on playing players out of positions? Mark my words nedbank and champion league we out
The coach is putting himself under a lot of unnecessary pressure with his tactics. He should revert back to playing with 4 defenders and sacrifice one holding midfielder because even with the overloaded midfield that he’s employing, we’re not creating so many clear scoring opportunities. We do not have the fastest central defenders, hence he’s deploying Divine Lunga to play between the left back and central defence. Should he fail to win any of the remaining trophies 🏆 in the Nedbank Cup and Champions League, management should consider loaning him out like Pirates did to him
But AB has speed!! He plays better as a left sided Centre back but not as left back! Guys how bidding for that Younga striker Stephane Aziz Ki
Members, we going through a bad period. This was bounf to happen, ita juat unfortunate its happening at time when we need results the most. The game against swallows, was the exact tactics we used with inverted left back. There is nothing wrong with the approach. My view is that there is just a lack of urgency and am sure you will see different team come this week. We just need to improve , and try at least to take shots at goal, rather than being obsessed about possession as nothing comes out of it. We need to try something that is not predicted as these teams have now studied us. We mever cross the ball,.and everyone knows, so they dont even worry since they know we stick to that….Mudau runs to the side, only to bring the ball back… ihe did that more than 10 times vs swallows instead of a simple low hard cross.