Mamelodi Sundonws ae revelling in delight following their 3-1 victory against Marumo Gallants on Tuesday night at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. An own goal and a brace from Teboho Mokoena was all it took see the Pretoria-based side walk away with all points on offer in what was a drama-packed encounter.
The match started off very lively with both sides looking to kick-start the proceedings with a goal. The first threat of the match came on the 7th minute and it was the hosts that triggered it. The attempt came from a corner kick when Nuno Santos flicked it into the area. Kegan Johannes tried to connect with it but the Gallants defence scrambled in the area to clear the ball out.
Soon after that, the visitors also tested Ronwen Williams when they made a run into the box from a counterattack but Williams quickly went off his line to sweep the danger.
Eventually, on the 31st minute, the deadlock was broken in favour of the host. It came from a free-kick on the left taken by Marcelo Allende. He dipped it into the area and while it looked like Keanu Cupido connected with it with his elbow to find the goal, it was the Gallants defence that scored an own goal while trying to clear the ball out.
Brayan Leon tested the goalkeeper with a beautiful and well-controlled strike from a rebound, but the keeper managed to tip it away.
Six minutes after the opening goal, a second goal was witnessed at Loftus Versfeld but this time around, in favour of the visitors. Gallants were awarded a free-kick which was headed away by Miguel Reisinho. While heading it away, the ball met Santos’ raised hand inside the box which led to the referee pointing to the spot. The penalty taken sent Williams the wrong direction.
In the final minutes of the opening half, the Bloemfontein-based side almost doubled their advantage when they made an interception from a stray pass in the midfield. They made a run into the box and struck but Williams dived to smack it away. The two sides went to the break deadlocked.
The second half kicked off with an effort from Bafana Ba Style. Fawaaz Basadien made a cut-back to Arthur Sales who was outside the box. Sales then fired a shot but the keeper bucketed the effort. Downs came close again through Leon’s glancing header but it went wide.
Finally, on the 63rd minute, parity was restored when Mokoena snatched back the lead. Sales had made a pass to Mokoena who turned around to toe-poke it.
Gallants almost retaliated when a run was made into a box leaving the Downs rearguard behind. They tried putting it past Williams who came off his line but the effort went wide.
The final action of the match came in a form of a goal. It was Mokoena, again who put it behind the box. It was through a first touch shot from range that left the goalkeeper stunned, to help himself to a brace. The Brazilians now sit on top of the league tally after stealing the three points. They will now shift their focus to continental duties.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Cupido, Mdunyelwa, Johannes, Basadien, Allende, Santos, Reisinho, Matthews, Sales, Leon.
Subs: Onyango, Kekana, Lunga, Ntsabeleng, Mokoena, Zwane, Saleng, Mothiba, Rayners.
