Iqraam Rayners did it again for Mamelodi Sundowns as his one goal helped his side collect maximum points in Cape Town when they defeated Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on Wednesday night at the DHL Cape Town Stadium.
The visitors were in control of the game from the time the kick-off whistle was blown. An immediate impact by Masandawana saw them almost get an early goal through Malibongwe Khoza’s header in the area, but it went over the bar. Stellenbosch was quick with the retaliation in the area, but the shot wasn’t powerful enough to go past a firm Denis Onyango.
In the 18th minute, after Rayners continuously knocked on the door, he finally found the breakthrough. He made a good run to chip the ball slightly over the goalkeeper and drove the ball to the left with pressure on his back. He then whipped it to the top right corner of the net to have his side a lead.
Shortly after the goal, Marcelo Allende was forced out due to an injury. Incoming to replace him was Neo Maema.
Downs continued being in the driving seat and had two big chances through Lucas Ribeiro, but both slightly missed the net by an inch after managing to dribble past the goalkeeper. Masandawana went to the break with a goal advantage.
Bafana Ba Style picked up where they left off when play was continued, seeing Kobamelo Kodisang shooting from range to stun the hosts, but the shot slightly went off target. Another chance came from Aubrey Modiba after receiving it from Kodisang, but his shot hit the crossbar to deny him a chance to double matters.
Onyango made an excellent stop of a ball going into the box towards the hour mark. Stellenbosch was hard at work to level matters, but Onyango smacked it away near his defense and managed to clear it away.
The Titanic continued as the hosts pulled threats in the Downs box as they tried to find spaces, but the defense was too tight to let any ball go through. Another chance came that Onyango tipped away, saving his side from conceding. The Brazilians managed to keep the scoreline at 1-0 despite the pressure, helping them to extend the lead on the league log.
How we lined up: Onyango ©, Morena, De Reuck, Khoza, Lunga, Modiba, Aubaas, Allende, Ribeiro, Kodisang, Rayners.
Subs: Tshabalala, Mashego, Mudau, Maboe, Mkhulise, Maema, Letlhaku, Sales, Shalulile.
I’m really worried about Neo Maema, he’s no longer himself and he’s been given chance after chance and still he’s not improving. Clearly some players are exhausted, and what happened to Allende was expected. Mudau as well needs some rest, I was also disappointed with Morena. I expected a lot from him. This is the time that players like Maema, Mkhulise and Maboe were supposed to come through, but alas they’ve just been disappointing, with Maema being the worst. Big improvement from Lunga, he was clearly my MoM. Lunga was sidelined for a very long time as well, so there’s no excuse for the other players
Now I can safely say we will win the league this coach We have now is Pitso and Rhulani combined I feel sorry for Bucs even those who were discouraging Management now are eating humble pie even Tso Vilakazi admitted last week that this coach is superb.
People were judging him for his CV and that he won just one trophy in his career forgetting that even when we recruited Pitso he was nothing and sitting at home nobody was willing to risk by hiring him but now he’s known worldwide because of Downs.
Even Onyango didn’t concede yesterday which I think was the first time recently when he’s on the poles not to concede. Thanks Management for giving this guy and his technical staff we appreciate it a lot if it wasn’t casually of Ribeiro we would talking a different scoreline today and that boy is very boring with his attitude.
A good victory yesterday bt disappointed by a wasteful Sundowns and next time we let go of so many chances we will rue the day.Again Ribeiro Ribeiro u can sometimes become so wasteful &b disposessed bcoz of ur over elaborating. And again wasted 2 glorious chances that should have put the game 2 bed.But in all the substitutions were spot and even ejecting Allende was a good thing &we ddnt mic him at all.Otherwise Sundowns played very well in every department just that Maema forgot that he came as a sub &must change the complexion of the game at all costs.It really showed that everybody must fight 4 his spot 2 b selected not on a silver platter.At Sundowns u don’t have 2 fix things that r not broken,my coach u r on the right track..Kaboyelo Masandawana.
Very much impressed with the team spirit,I saw one of our technical team members entertaining the players in the tunnel which showed unity in the team.After watching the performance of Lunga,De Reuck and Kgodisang I hated Manqoba and hated management even more because they gave Manqoba second chance for embarrassing the team.We could have achieved a lot this far had we appointed a real coach not a joke of a coach.Rebeiro should be benched for Sales,instead of scoring simple goals he tries to be fancy and too casual,Let’s play our sensational Letlhaku instead of useless and ever erratic Malema.I was mostly impressed with Kgodisang.An unfit coach Manqoba said Kgodisang was not yet ready whereas coach himself was too weak to coach us.
Dawanas maybe people will say I’m harsh or I don’t know football but recently this thing or attitude of Ribeiro is annoying to the core how I wish there’s a team that’s want him in January with big money so that we can release him as soon as possible.
I mean the guy is arrogant and too casual he’s selfish but if other players doesn’t give him the ball he shout at them,wants to dribble every opponent instead of just passing to the positioned player,fighting with the opponents and referees serious Management must do something about this boy he’s not bigger than the team.
Manqoba used to says Kodisang is still adapting to the South African games since he was overseas for too long but come Miguel that boy is very tricky or maybe he played him in the wrong position I really don’t know.
I can’t wait for the return of “Mtsetseremba or Mosquito “Matthews and Riva people will cry,Mbule needs coaching like Cardoso that will give you freedom. Lastly it’s very exciting to see all the guys that came with Cardoso enjoying themselves and singing with the players even they don’t understand the meaning of the songs but they know it gives players courage and motivation before the game even our coach is so playfully we as Dawanas we like it a lot keep it up guys.