Mamelodi Sundowns were beaten 3-0 on Saturday afternoon by Stellenbosch FC in their penultimate DStv Premiership League match of the season.
Stellies took an early lead in the contest through Ashley Du Preez which sent the visitors on their way to claiming the three points. The team from the coast played an over the top ball from their half in between Masandawana’s center halves, Du Preez was well positioned and controlled the ball towards The Brazilians box and beat Ricardo Goss to the ball.
After conceding, Bafana Ba Style kept control of the ball and tried to settle into the game. The possession based plan got them up the pitch with an opportunity to pull one back for themselves, but the solid defense of Stellies stood firm. Neo Maema struck at goal after combining short passes with Themba Zwane on the left side of the pitch but his effort went wide of the target.
It became an uphill battle for The Brazilians to find an equalizer, a set piece for the home team was awarded at half hour after Teboho Mokoena was brought down. Mokoena worked a wonderful strike into the box to connect with Peter Shalulile who screwed a shot over from close range.
Stellies were adamant in their defensive structures, giving Masandawana no time to connect their passes inside the final third. Sphelele Mkhulise’s effort at goal from far flew just wide. Masandawana did not let the visitors’ lead stop them from playing their pressing and counter football as they held onto most of the possession and continued with their high press.
As the halftime drew to a close and the home team looked for an equalizer before the break, Khuliso Mudau’s attempt was blocked by Mark Van Heerden followed by a superb save by the goalkeeper Sage Stephens of Stellies to deny Maema a goal.
Stellenbosch doubled the advantage at the brink of half time with a stunning over the top goal from Jayden Adams. Goss and his defensive line were beaten when The Brazilians’ goalie cleared the ball out of a quick attack only for the ball to be in sight with Adams. The first 45 minutes of play time ended with a 2-0 lead for the coastal team.
Into the second period and the game continued to follow the same pattern with Downs having the majority of the ball and Stellies trying to hit them on the break. Shalulile was released by a wonderful pass into the box but the striker could not find the perfect finishing as the goalkeeper was nearby to collect the incoming delivery. Both sides struggled to keep the ball on their feet as they went at each other, eventually Stellies hit a third through Du Preez just before the hour mark and ended any hopes of a comeback for the Tshwane giants.
Sundowns made four substitutions, Lyle Lakay, Gaston Sirino, Pavol Safranko and Haashim Domingo were introduced in the place of Zwane, Bradley Ralani, Aubrey Modiba and Maema. The home team then fashioned their best chance in the encounter with Grant Kekana, but his header from Mokoena’s free kick bounced over the top post.
The contest started looking bright for Masandawana as the full time approached, the next chance fell on to Safranko after connecting with the ball in the air, the Slovak international’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper who went on to win the man of the match award for working over time. Despite the huge sense of disappointment at the final whistle, The Brazilians remain at the top of the log and await to be crowned Champions in a week.
This is how we lined up:
- Goss, G. Kekana, M. Lebusa ©, K. Mudau, A. Modiba (63′ Lakay), S. Mkhulise, T. Mokoena, T. Zwane (63′ Safranko), N. Maema (63′ Domingo), B. Ralani (63′ Sirino), P. Shalulile.
Subs:
- Pieterse, T. Kutumela, L. Lakay, L. Maboe, H. Domingo, P. Safranko, G. Sirino, D. Lunga, T. Morena.
As long as our Wisemen and some supporters sees nothing on Zwane Downs will be dreaming to win the Cahmps League,people are busy accusing Lebusa and Goss forgetting to put straight the facts that Zwane and Sirino are not giving us or performing at their best,I mean the third goal it was Zwane who tried to be fancy and lost the ball and Stellies players caught our defence offguard.
Another thing I’ve notice on Mokena he’s not the player he was at S.United he doesn’t take shots anymore but he chooses to pass even when he’s near the eighteen area or its an instruction from the coaches I don’t know.
If its my wish the following players should be released next season, Zwane,Sirino D.Onyango and Goss.
Just by loosing on Caf and this game of stellies we must release players that helped us the whole season, we are champion today because of those players…. Sometimes players loses form but that doesn’t mean they won’t regain their form…. As much as we want coaches to give other guys a chance but they can’t change the whole team because we are left with NedBank final… The technical team should change their approach in champions league they must take 1st leg serious even if we play away… Lastly to keep your players in form special season first team couches must play them….. No hard feelings my brother
I hear you member but players like Onyango and Zwane must be released or start the game towards the end,I won’t forget what Onyango did on Cjamps League two years in a row he took us out with his silly mistakes .
We have a good young defender at Tuks(a white guy)but we’ll go for old players who doesn’t have a speed and I heard we want Sibisi from Arrows,when are we going to develop our own maybe Technical Director will stop that,if we can also stop this thing of converting players from their original position Rivaldo will be a good centreback for us because in middlefield we’ve got too many players and Sipho Mbule is gonna add to that congestion, also Mvala can play in defence but let’s wait and see what will happen next season including the return of the loanees.
My brothers Kunene i knew we all have different. opportunities i don’t agree of releasing Zwane and Serino thats big no these two are power off strengths players problem is to combination of Ralan and Mokoana midfield weakest link Lebusa i remember final Sundowns and Pmburg Lebusa almost cost
Yaah zwane is just tired he just needs some rest and Sirino was injured so he will take time to regain his form. but as for dupriz speed we struggle in diffence because of du prez and he scored yesterday again he scores two so our wise man need to put someone who can cope with his speed eg lakay or Morena.other than that the boys did well the whole season so we can’t put the pressure on them Caz we already have two cups.