Mamelodi Sundowns toiled to a narrow 1-0 victory at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening. A last minute strike from Namibian frontman Peter Shalulile was enough to secure all three points for Downs and ensure their return to the top of the DStv Premiership table on goal difference.
The early stages of the encounter saw Masandawana assume their traditional role of the enforcers, looking to penetrate the low block formed by the Eastern Cape outfit. Full back Aubrey Modiba had the first look at goal for Sundowns, with an accurate left-footed free kick that drew a save from Lloyd Kazapua.
The chance from Modiba would set the tone for the first half, as the game turned into a battle to penetrate the Namibian international goal. Teboho Mokoena came close after breaking through the defensive line, although his effort was met by an on rushing Kazapua who denied him. At the halftime break approached, Sundowns were forced to look for an alternative route to goal, with Neo Maema and Mothobi Mvala resorting to long shots that failed to trouble the opposition keeper. As such, the two sides went into the break with the scores even
The second half started at a high tempo, with Masandawana controlling the tempo and looking for new ways the break down the Chippa defence. Maema tried his luck from range again, coming closer this time as his strike missed the upright by a matter of inches. The technical team rang the changes as the second half went on as they looked to freshen up the midfield. Erwin Saavedra and Cassius Mailula both made their way onto the pitch as they appeared for the first time this season.
Chances were few and far between as the full time whistle approached, with the Chilli Boys defence remaining resolute. The last 5 minutes of the match saw Sundowns coming as close as they had come all night, first with Modiba having another free kick saved onto the woodwork by the goalkeeper, before Zwane has a toe-poked effort blocked at close range by the keeper Kazapua who was having an inspired performance.
With the match seemingly headed to a stalemate, it was Shalululie who had the final word of the evening as he pounced on Mvala’s flick in the box and tapped home for the winner on the night. The celebrations were halted slightly at the end as Modiba was given his marching orders as he was shown as 2nd yellow card for supposed time wasting as Bafana Ba Style finished with 10 men on the field.
The result sees The Brazilians end matchweek 7 on top of the table, level on points with Richards Bay and Royal AM & ahead on goal difference. The team will now return to Chrloorkop to begin preparations for Saturday’s home encounter against Golden Arrows.
How We Lined Up
Williams, De Reuck, Mvala, Modiba, Mudau, Jali, Mokoena (Morena), Zwane, Allende (Saavedra), Shalulile, Maema (Mailula)
Subs: Mweene, Morena, Mailula, Lakay, Kapinga, Saavedra, Ralani, Kekana, Mbule
Even though we won but I’m not happy with our playing,serious you can swear this players are on strike, we lost the ball cheaply and our fullbacks are not helping us either,this position play by Mudau,Kekana is too good at it so as leftback Sifiso Ngobeni can also excel to it,lastly thanks Onyango for getting injured hope it stays like that because Mvala can play better than you,pls Wisemen just for the sake of trying new combination let Saavedra starts ahead of Maema,Kby forever
We should expect this kind of defence play from almost all the teams we play against, and in situations like these, we should score the half-chances we get. Decision-making in the final third is still a problem. Atleast I saw some hunger from most of our players. What I hate to see from my team is that pedestrian play orchestrated by Jali, de Reuck and B Onyango, but yesterday there was almost nothing of that sort. Salute to the General Mvala
Lebusa should consider going back to his natural left back position and Modiba replace the ineffective Neo Maema, then we get Riva back to put Jali on the stands
It seems Supersport United sokd us another Mokoena not that one who dangerous and shooting in every angle I mean the guy is always passes the ball even he’s on good scoring position he’s even afraid to take freekicks and the selfish Modiba wants to take all even its not his angle.
In every team there’s specialists like who must take freekick,corner kicks in swinger or out swinger even penalties but to our team there’s no such,lastly I’m very disappointed in Zwane and Maema those players are offform and looses the ball cheaply Mbule can do better than both but We are dwelling on reputation and what worries me most was that we struggled against a novice in Daine Klate.
A friendly reminder to our Wisemen in a long run you will suffer or kiss goodbye this job of coaching Downs if you still dwelling on the past instead of merit and I don’t think to other teams you’ll get this privilege of buying whatever players you want even in Southern America what happened to Tuchel might happen to you.You don’t know to unlock a team that’s on the number last I wonder what will happen to those that are on top with you or in Champs League I saw kzn teams and they can play I’m getting afraid of them another loose is looming just watch the space, ya we won but I’m not happy really, Zwane doesn’t mark,no speed often losses the ball but come match day he’s on starting line up,Kby forever
Happy with the 3 points,Im also happy with the commitment shown by the players……bt Im very disappointed with our technical team,Maema was very effective on the wing n this positional change is simply NOT working,and I was very disappointed to c a youngster being given his debut ahead of Kapinga in a tense game like that,the least said abt Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau da better cos they seem to b da coach’s favourites…….and what a breath of fresh air not to c the unreliable Brian Onyango in the team,I hope it stays that way
Very much impressed with the creativity of Saavedra and Mailula and also hunger and fighting shown by Mvala,other than that we lacked that cutting edge in most part of the game. At least there was no that AJ and goalkeeper nonsense.We lacked bite without Nassir,i think his combination with Saavedra and Mailula can unlock any stubborn defense.
I really appreciated a good fighting spirit from Sundowns. I was impressed with the performance of Mvala in defense, maybe it is the position where he can excel. Still not convince with Allende, he is not showing the worth that Sundowns bought him, maybe he needs time, but so far, I consider him as a normal player, not a special one, with the money the bought him, Sundowns could buy 10 good players. But from Nasir, we could see that he is a very good player, if the technical team works on him together with Shalulile, they will be a deadly a striking partnership, we really missed yesterday.
Good hunger and commitment from the players but technically we are still lacking in many aspects! Chippa could have punished us if they had good players! We were caught on counter attacks few times! It seems when we go forward to break defensive teams we leave our selves very open at the back! We didn’t learn anything from that Supersport defeat! We can be beaten again against the same teams that apply same defensive and counter attacks tactics!!