Sundowns Through to CAFCL Quarterfinals Following 1-1 Draw

Mamelodi Sundowns have advanced to the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League following a 1-1 tie against AS FAR Rabat on Sunday night at Loftus Versfeld.

The first half displayed a nervy box-to-box with the away side pulling the trigger very early in the game, but Malibongwe Khoza made a great tackle to stop them from finding the back of the net.

Despite the visitors posing a big threat early in the game, the hosts break the deadlock in the 12th minute through Peter Shalulile. The goal came about because a foul on Lucas Ribeiro was awarded a free-kick. The set piece was shot to the far post which was met by Shalulile who headed the ball into the net.

The opener may have encouraged the Brazilians to fight a little harder because they began to look very convincing with their chances and were dominating possession. They had a few shots come inside the area from Shalulile, Ribeiro and Thapelo Morena but all attempts sent the goalkeeper to make saves. After 45 minutes of battling each other, the two sides went to the break with Downs leading.

In the second stanza, Iqraam Rayners rattled the AS FAR defense a few times, with his biggest chance being when he managed to run through past the defenders to hit a strike but his shot was caught by the keeper, denying Downs a chance to double their advantage.

The visitors looked more convincing in the second half as they created chances in the box but the disciplined Downs defense remained resolute denying them a leveler eventually they were punished a few minutes before full-time to hold Masandawana to a draw. Despite the result not being the desired one, the draw against the Moroccan side was good enough to help Bafana Ba Style advance to the quarterfinals.

How we lined up: Williams ©, Khoza, Kekana, Morena, Mokoena, Lunga, Mkhulise, Allende, Rayners, Shalulile, Ribeiro.

Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Sales, Maema, Mashego, Letlhaku, Matthews, Johannes, Maboe.

6 Responses
  1. DOWNS4EVER

    Williams thinks he is Sundowns,he’s big headed ill disciplined player,him and Kekana are trying to teach young Khoza their nonsense of less effective football.There are only few players who their commitment even when they commit too many mistakes,Shalulile, Mvala,Aubaas,Maboe and Lebusa.I think the players tell the coach how they want to play not the other way around, Manqoba could not tolerate that nonsense hence they sabotaged him.We going to lose good coaches because of this players if we are not careful.Our coaches don’t get protection from management against this ill disciplined players. We as supporters have the power to force the team to play progressive football by not attending the games until they change that nonsense of football.We can’t watch every game on the edge of few individuals.There no way you can score goals when playing in your own half instead you are bound to concede goals.Moripi mentioned something very important about Kompela while he was still at Swallows,he said “ you must budget for mistakes of playing from the back “ ,I think he’s the one encouraging players to do that nonsense.He needs to be carefully monitored.

  2. Muzi Kunene

    Maybe I maybe be misunderstood but all this players coming from Supersport United are not willing to die for the team anymore,look at Maseko I mean the guy lacks just basics of football everytime when he dribbles he cut outside instead of inside even when the angle is not good thanks for taking him to Ddc even the young Kutlwano is far better than him.
    Mokoena wants to take setpieces but they will go over the bar maybe they’re not practicing all of that in the practice.
    I concur with you Downs4ever our Management are failing us big time I miss the President himself this thing of playing nonsense at the back would be stop by now maybe they will talk once we loose even our coach didn’t said anything or he rebuked them on changeroom or at Chloorkop I don’t know.To those always going to the stadium just once shout or boo them so that they can see what are they doing is unprofessional and boring.

    1. Mfana

      I don’t know who’s brain damaged at Sundowns the younger Motsepe,Mabunda,Fleming Berg r all busy trying 2 lure Mothiba a player who can hardly trap,dribble,pass or let alone score a goal.These 3 stooges at Sundowns had the audacity 2 buy useless expensive players 4 Mngqithi just 2 sabotage the coach,yet Ighordaro can attack &score goals.It’s so strange that Mngqithi identified Rayners as a potential player &never regrets the decision.Then now we r having Ribeiro&Allende who r a huge liability&Sales just happened 2 b another managerial mishap.On 3 occasions Williams gave the ball 2 the opponents bt Cardoso doesn’t talk abt that.Some players r just rewarded 4 playing rubbish,I become so annoyed if a player will come overseas &play this nonsense that we r witnessing.Mngqithi was rite 4 sidelining these Bafana players all of them they don’t respect us.To speak the truth we r adding numbers to the group stages,such a hopeless display by our players.Not 2 mention the club world cup I think wll b the whipping boys there with Ribeiro&Williams giving away possessions.Mngqithi’s tactics were producing goals.To speak the truth if we can meet Magesi in Nedbank final we can easily lose that game again.Overnight Sundowns just becomes so average with meaningless ball possession.

  3. Mzimela

    Yoo guys very difficult to understand what’s u wants to be done at Sundowns you criticized every things and every one players officials technically staff ayikhona madoda yes every has his or her opinion but that’s too much only person was good to u that was Manqoba even Rulani done excellent work was criticized left right centre no no let’s give credit where due

  4. Mfana

    Mzimela we lost the Carling cup bcoz Mngqithi wasn’t supported,9 players on national duty,management never asked 4 the final 2 b postponed or Sundowns players mustn’t b selected by Bafana coach.Rhulani left the team at no.1 spot fired,Mngqithi left Sundowns in position no.1 fired&Sundowns was the highest scoring team.Which credit must b given?When management is committing blunder after blunder.Sundowns management is fixing things that r not broken.Mzimela my Brazilian we r frustrated&we r using this website 2 vent our frustrations&this is the right platform.We r sorry about the way u feel but the coach must b allowed 2 identify his players for his system…

  5. Mzimela

    Mfana I like to take that opportunity thank u the polite manner u responded although I’m not happy the way u criticized whole participants in team but that’s S A freedom of expression

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