The Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team enjoyed a clean sweep over the Royal AM Reserves on Saturday morning at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. It was goals from Siyabonga Ndebele, Thando Buthelezi and Keabetswe Ramotsei that confirmed a lopsided 3-0 score win for the Brazilians.
It was Kutlwano Letlhaku who triggered the first chance that caused a shock to Royal AM two minutes into the match, which could have changed how the game went because the hosts then went on to create plenty of chances. A fortuitous early rebound goal inside ten minutes came at the right time to give coach Themba’s charges a perfect start. It came from a corner kick that went straight into the box but they struggled to put it past the keeper. Defender, Ndebele managed to find a rebound as their counterparts attempted to clear the ball out of the area, and he struck a shot against the face of the goalkeeper to put his side one goal up.
A frustrated Durban-based side tried to retaliate but the Downs defence were just not giving them an opportunity to level matters. With a corner kick awarded to the, they shot the ball into the box but Ndebele set himself up well to head the ball out of the danger zone.
One sublime and defence-splitting pass from Onele Rulwana set Ramotsei clear on goal but the keeper was quicker than the skipper to get to the ball first and the chance was gone. A second goal, however, finally came just after the 20th minute mark. It was Buthelezi who found himself alone after evading the defence and went past the keeper from the right to shoot and give his side a two-goal advantage in the break.
In less than ten minutes into the second stanza, there was already a red card for the visitors, following a dangerous tackle on Letlhaku. With now only ten men in the pitch, Bafana Ba Style looked to take advantage and find a third goal but the visitors’ defending became more tighter.
Before hitting the hour mark, a third was registered for the Pretoria-based side through a penalty kick. While driving the ball on the left, Rulwana was brought down in the box which led to the referee pointing to the spot. The penalty was taken by Ramotsei who sent the keeper flying the opposite direction.
Downs were not satisfied with the three goals and were looking to extend their lead. Buthelezi almost gave them that extender as he shot the ball on the edge of the area, but it went slightly wide. Three more dangerous chances from super sub, Jerome Karelse, to conclude the match shook the opposition but were not fruitful. It was total dominance by Masandawana as their counterparts crowded their own box the entire 90 minutes. They walk away with maximum points, closing in on first positioned Stellenbosch FC on the tally.
Starting XI: Raludzingana, Norawana, Khoza, Nkabinde, Ndebele, Nkosi ©, Ramotsei, Rulwana, Mabena, Buthelezi, Letlhaku.
Subs: Shabangu, Mampane, Nkoxeni, Karelse, Kekana.
