Mamelodi Sundowns continue their unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership this season following a 2-1 victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Sunday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium. It was the heroics of Siyanda Ndlovu and Teboho Mokoena that won the game for the Brazilians.
Early attack from the visitors was witnessed when Marcelo Allende tried to set up Ndlovu on the right hand side but the goalkeeper intercepted the effort.
An error from Masandawana almost cost them when Arrows triggered a shot on the sixth minute. Failing to clear danger, all was left to Ronwen Williams who dived to make a save.
14 minutes in, Siyanda Ndlovu’s exceptional finish opened the scoring for Bafana Ba Style. After a rotation of the ball in the final third, Tashreeq Matthews sent the ball across goal to find Ndlovu who found the farpost.
On the 26th minute, the Arrows keeper tried to clear the ball from danger but Cassius Mailula intercepted the ball, handing it to Matthews. Matthews’ effort to double the advantage, however, missed the target by a few inches. Three minutes later, Williams made a pass from the other half that found Matthews. The forward had a great scoring chance but was smacked away by the keeper.
On the opposite side of the field, two big efforts came for the hosts but were both caught by Williams.
On the brink of half time, Abafana Bes’thende, from the left side, almost levelled matters but were denied twice by Williams. This saw the visitors heading to the interval with a goal lead.
Arrows looked to make an immediate impact in the second half but their first effort went wide.
Brayan Leon’s single sprint almost found the back of the net but the keeper came off his mark to make a save on the 50th minute. Five minutes later his effort from the left flank, again was cleared.
It took 76 minutes for a second goal to be witnessed at the King Zwelithini Stadium and it came from Arrows who levelled matters.
Two minutes later, Mokoena was unlucky to not snatch back the lead for Downs when his shot slightly missed the target.
On the stroke of full-time, Mokoena’s effort to snatch back the lead for Downs was successful when he fired an impressive strike taken on the edge of the box.
Substitute, Iqraam Rayners almost extended the advantage when he looked to find the tongue of the net but was denied by the crossbar. The Brazilians tried to get more goals but they couldn’t and settled for the 2-1 victory that gave them the three points they went to KwaZulu-Natal for.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Morena, Kekana, Ndamane, Basadien, Allende, Mokoena, Matthews, Ndlovu, Leon, Mailula.
Subs: Goss, Mdunyelwa, Khoza, Modiba, Mkhulise, Zwane, van Wyk, B. Mokoena, Rayners.
Really what r Sundowns defenders do at training?I mean Dion has scored 3 goals on 3 occasions does Sundowns a proper planning ahead of the game.Its disappointing really to have this appalling approach both by coach and his defense including another stooge at Sundowns,Kompela.I concur with Arendse that now we r lacking direction.Teams r no longer parking the bus,we lost respect by opponents.Even Milford had more shots on target than us.Is it lack of vision or being lacking in pre planning.We should upgraded that DDC defender instead of crying about something we know that Cupido got injured before the close of season.Bt to speak the truth Arrows wanted to win the game the way wanted 3 points.Some times we take 3 points and go home especially away from home.Welldone for occupying 1st position,just to put pressure on false pretenders to the throne.
Very entertaining game by both sides. My concern is conceding goals from same player in three consecutive games, it is like knowing questions and answers of an exam before you write but end up failing that exam. We are happy as long as we keep on griding out the results. If it is true that we want to sign Cele then we have poor scouts and lack of vision from management. How do you replace 25 years old Jayden by a player who is five years older than him when we can play Mhulise regularly if we are that desperate. We have an ageing squad, yet we want to continue bringing in aged players. We also have young Kgomolemo Kekana to fill that void, we just don’t have a coach with the audacity to believe in young players. Most of the Psl teams promote and play development players. I really think working with young players should be prerequisite requirement when appointing our next coach. We can’t keep signing pensioners when we have capable young players.
I can hear you member it’s true regarding the age of the players we signed but My Outie Cele is very good and you will see him when he’s starting to play,maybe they want him since Allende is not sure about his future with us next season.
Another thing member we mustn’t forget that since Downs have got money this players Agent want exorbitant fees when it comes to us even though their player’s are still establishing themselves and the agent of that players is that lady who took Mailula from us and put her onto deep end and the poor boy ended being loaned from one team to another.
Downs must also realise some dead woods on their team we can’t keep on signing and not realising players like Mothibi,Johannes,Onyango and Aubaas the latter is too relaxed when he’s giving a chance and sign that dangerous boy from Arrows by the name of Nhlanhla Zwane jersey number 41 I mean the boy is so good even Sales is not near to him.Kby forever.
I hear you member,my concern is not about his qualities as a player but is based on most factors.His age,when we sign a player we must think long term unless it is an emergency like in the case of Van Rooyen, He never had a preseason with any team,how long is it can take him to reach match fitness,i think by the time he becomes fit he will be 30,we have Mkhulise who is 29,Teboho Mokoena also 29.My other concern is,i don’t think Chiefs can release a player of his quality for no reason,i suspect we are bringing in another Saleng’s situation.We need to really scrutinize our decisions,personality must come before the quality of a player. We have Kgomolemo Kekana the boy played well whenever given a chance.What is the use of having development if we don’t trust its products? If you can check my previous comments i mentioned Nhlahla Zwane twice,it means us supporters see what management don’t see. Some signings prompt us to think there is someone within the team who is in cahoots with some agents to solicit money from the team. Pitso before he left he said he wanted to reduce average age in the team and signed the likes of Kapinga and Domingo who were 25 years then, Rulani signed the likes of Lesiba Nku 27 and even went on to explain his personal behavior but now we just sign without an in-depth analysis.We do’n’t want to create a situation where there are management players and coach players. We really need rebuild this team like it was before, where we had an advantage in each an every game we play because all teams in Africa were fearing us.
Members as a veteran of this beautiful team who wants good players to play for us all the time,let us campaign for the signing of Nhlanhla Zwane from Arrows irrespective of how much he will cost the team.I mean we can’t be always obsessed about the Americans whereas we’ve got good players here in our country.
If it’s difficult to get Jordy Alicivar and Josep Escobar let’s take the above local guy whom is very good and I will be angry to our Management if that guy signed by our rivals if it needs be let’s give them Saleng and money on top to smooth the acquisition hope they will read this msg of mine and act swiftly. Kby forever.
Great acquisition in Matuludi,very much happy.Bravo to the management.
Seconded member and he can play as a central defender with van Rooyen on the right back,now we left with Ndlovu from Sekhukhune and none other than Nhlanhla Zwane then we close the chequebook