In what was a tough test against the Stellenbosch FC Reserves on Saturday morning, the Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team emerged the victorious side in a 1-0 encounter at the Tuks Stadium. Thato Sibiya scored an 89th minute goal – the only one of the match – to keep his side in the Reserve League title race.
The hosts kicked off the match with less chances, being dominated and challenged by their guests. They were struggling to get it right in the final third as Stellies denied them.
The first big attempt of the opening half came from the visitors when they were awarded a corner kick. Nqobani Biyela, Downs’ keeper looked to catch it but it spilled off his hands. The visitors found the rebound but Tshiamo Masisi put his body on the line to clear the ball away.
Masandawana eventually started picking up their pace and had opportunities in the final third but their final actions was not good enough to get them a goal. Just before the 30th minute mark, Biyela fired a shot to the other half to find Bennet Mokoena. Mokoena then turned around to put it in the box but the keeper bucketed his effort.
Both sides continued to search for an opener but they were just not getting it right. This led to both sides heading to the break with no goals on sight.
The second stanza was a but sluggish for both sides, with no clear-cut chances taken. The first big action of this half came just after hour mark. It started with Mokoena when he delivered the ball to Oarabile Booysen in the box. Booysen was, however, reluctant so he handed it to Kabelo Sibande who fired a shot that sailed out of the field.
With the league at stake, Bafana Ba Style started gaining more confidence and a bit of urgency. Mokoena came close to a goal through a long-range shot but his effort hit the side netting.
Stellies also had an opportunity to open the scoring when they went past Masisi and made a cut back. The effort to connect and fire the ball in saw the ball sailing over the bar.
A minute before the full-time, the young Brazilians managed to restore parity when a thunderbolt of a strike went past the keeper to see the hosts smash and grabbing the three points. It was Sibiya’s effort from range that helped Downs win the game.
How we lined up: Biyela, Sibande, Marthinus, Sithole, Masisi ©, Jodamus, Kekana, Siquba, Mokoena, Booysen.
Subs: Shabangu, Mswane, Felix, Ngqakabana, Mokoele.
