Mamelodi Sundowns continued their impressive unbeaten streak as they defeated Black Leopards in a tightly contested clash at Thohoyandou Stadium. The pitch was not in optimal conditions for football after heavy rain made the pitch muddy. The Brazilians needed a brace from Peter Shalulile to seal the three maximum points.
Two changes were made in the starting eleven, Siphesihle Mkhize got the nod in the eleven as he was making his first official start in the DStv Premiership. The other change was Peter Shalulile who returned from a knock to replace Gaston Sirino.
The pitch was showing that it had fought its battles during a couple of days due to the rain. The Brazilians made their intentions clear from the second minute as Shalulile perfectly controlled a pass from Romeo but his resulting shot sailed just over the Leopards goal. The Namibian – who was unavailable in the last game against Swallows FC – had another chance to open the scoring but his header could only hit the upright with the home side keeper well beaten.
Hlompho Kekana had an opportunity also but his shot was only blocked for a corner. The front three were starting to pose a threat to the home side. Kermit Erasmus who was on the score-sheet over the weekend tried to work his magic but his effort was saved. Denis Onyango who was not kept busy during the game was called to make a save after Wiseman Maluleka found space and took a shot from range but the ball was saved with ease. Both sides went to the first half locked at 0-0.
The home side was the first one to draw blood after the break as Ovidy Karuru finished off a Sibusiso Khumalo cross to take the lead. The game had to be halted for almost ten minutes as Lifa Hlongwane needed medical attention after a clash with his teammate and had to be transported to hospital. Reports later confirmed the forward had not sustained any serious injuries. Immediately as the match resumed Shalulile handed Masandawana an equaliser after a great acrobatic finish. This was his fifth goal of the DStv Premiership. With the game opening, Mothobi Mvala received his marching orders after he fouled Rodney Ramagalela who was through on goal. Sirino who had come in for Mkhize had a great opportunity to take the lead but his header was brilliantly saved by Ndlovu. Onyango had to pull a fine save to block out Roderick Kabwe’s shot.
Themba Zwane found himself with the goals at his mercy after a great pass from Shalulile but Ndlovu had to pull a top drawer save to deny Mshishi his ninth of the season. Ten additional minutes were added and it took five of those minutes for Shalulile to score his brace and seal the points for Masandawana and remain unbeaten.
How we lined up: Onyango, Mkhize ( Sirino 54′) , Lebusa, Mvala, Maluleka ( Mkhulise 84′). Langerman, Kekana, Maboe, Zwane ( Kapinga 84′), Erasmus ( Jali 72′), Shalulile
Subs: Goss, Majadibodu, Modiba, Motupa, Domingo, Jali, Sirino, Mkhulise, Kapinga
Thanks to the Technical Team and the players for the win.Like most of us said after previous draws that only hunger and competitiveness by players will win us the next games, In today’s game you could tell that every players was playing with intent.Even when the playground was not playable,but the spirit was there amongst the team.Thanks coaches, after such a long you finally made some good substitutions.Young team lead by Bra-Keke. .Not trying to single out players but as for Shalulile wow…!!!!!He is something else,marvellous to watch.The fighting spirit he displays in every game is unmeasurable.He puts efforts with aerial balls and often even win some.He sometimes help the middle-park,while keeping the opponents’s defence running and on the watch.What a massive signing by Downs in this beautiful young man.Value for money.I swa some improvement in Kapinga as well today.Unless he wanted to prove something to his former team.But I think he gel well in those last few minutes of the game
I just don’t know what the technical team is seeing in George Maluleka. To me he doesn’t offer anything to the team, even Maboe is way much better. Maboe breaks the opposition’s attack sometimes and he confuses them with his wasteful runs. Well done to Mkhulise, Sirino and Shalulile. If only their positive energy can rub off to the rest of the team. Well done to Mvala as well for taking one for the team otherwise RamaG would’ve scored that goal and there would be no coming back from that point
Congratulations are in order. We welcome the victory because at some point in the game I thought we were going to loose. Thanks to the technical team for those positive substitutions. I hope the likes of Sirino and Mkhulise have done enough to be recalled to the starting 11 because chasing games is not the Sundowns way, we kill off games as early as possible. A bit nervous about how we will shape up in defence against Chippa and hoping that some defenders will recover in time. Another positive is that Lebo Maboe started playing better after moving to the wing, he should try and improve his crossing though. Keep up the great spirit Masandawana!
Happy for the win even on Saturday I think we will win at Loftus because we are not playing at Lucas Moripe that stadium is a curse and I will keep on saying that.Another thing that worries me is Onyango that guy is always ball watching the crosses and I don’t know whether Wendell is seeing that and I’m afraid the North Africans will capitalize on that, pls wisemen put Goss once you will not regret phela uDenis is knew that he will be on starting eleven no matter what that’s why he’s relaxed.
Plse stop hatred stop distroy god given talent Mkhulise get in second half prooven how gud is why been lock out he done well previous season what more needed not only with Makgalwa these younger generation are gud enough
I agree members, Shalulile is a complete player, I’m so happy he is a sandawana and he is in a team that will take care of him, Grobler talks about scoring more than 20 goals, well let’s see. Kermit is a gud player but his passes sometimes/most times do not reach the intended teammate, that’s why Mvala ended up getting a red card, all the players given a chance to play must know u must give 100% with every pass, tackling etc, Sundowns isn’t a team for casual passes, we bury teams