Mamelodi Sundowns round off 2024 in style following a 2-0 victory over Richards Bay FC on Saturday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
An early impact from Downs was seen as, i3n the 19th minute, Arthur Sales opened the scoring for the Brazilians. It started with Lucas Ribeiro, who made a defense-splitting pass to Sales. With speed and awareness, Sales dinked the ball over the goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The hosts had an instant response as they shot the ball into the danger zone, but Denis Onyango made a double save to deny them an equalizer.
The intensity was very high, with both sides displaying impressive performances. While Masandawana looked to double their lead with multiple opportunities, the hosts were equally at work and posed numerous threats, but the backline was strong enough to block the chances. Downs went to the break leading with a goal.
Richards Bay came very close to equalizing five minutes into the second stanza, but the effort hit the woodwork.
After the continuous titanic tussle in the second half, Lucas Ribeiro found the back of the net to give his side a 2-0 advantage. He made a comfortable shot to the back post, passing the diving goalkeeper.
The hosts made another effort to find the back of the post, but again, it hit the woodwork, denying them.
In the final minutes of the match, whenever Bafana Ba Style had the ball, they’d keep the ball possession while driving the ball to Richards Bay’s half, looking to score a third. Despite the effort, they finished the game with a 2-0 victory.
How we lined up: Onyango ©, Mashego, Aubaas, Kekana, Khoza, Mokoena, Ribeiro, Kodisang, Morena, Sales.
Subs: February, De Reuck, Lunga, Maema, Maboe, Matthews, Letlhaku, Rayners, Shalulile.
Honestly speaking, I’m completely lost in terms of where the team is headed to. There was so much progress under Manqoba and one could clearly see where he wanted to take the team to. We were again so fortunate to win the game, we’re no longer as dominant against our opponents as we used to. The coach’s substitutes also do not bring any changes to the game. I understand what he was trying to do by starting de Reuck on the bench, and I fully concur with him there. He’s already preparing for the Raja Casablanca’s game, but de Reuck and Kekana are just the same player according to my opinion, they both play from the stationery position, you’ll hardly see them running with the ball or starting attacks from the back. Our midfield is completely dead, and our strikers are starving of any decent service.
Guys if u had so much knowledge coaching skills technics why wasted talent by sitting on stand watching plumber doing wrong things i have reading your comments non of who have coach do right things according to u come on guys give credit where due this comment not specific to u Dalom all of us busy critics Coaches if we have qualifications lets take over amen
Lets appreciate a good work done technical team player’s and management keep u