Mamelodi Sundowns walked away with maximum points on Saturday night following their 3-1 triumph against Durban City at the Lucas Moripe Stadium. It is Marcelo Allende, Tashreeq Matthews, and Iqraam Rayners’ heroics that saw Bafana Ba Style emerge as the victorious side.
The hosts were the dominant side in the opening twenty minutes of the match and were creating convincing chances. The first one came from a rebound, which IqraamRayners shot, but his effort lacked power, finding the goalkeeper. Tashreeq Matthews also looked to open the scoring from a good run into the area, but he was tackled and lost the ball.
In the 13th minute, from a set piece, the KwaZulu-Natal side broke the deadlock. It came from a corner kick, which was then redirected into the net through a header. Parity was quickly restored when Masandawana levelled matters in the 21st minute. Matthews had delivered the ball to Marcelo Allende, who turned and slotted the ball in.
Three opportunities came from a free kick awarded to Downs after Arthur Sales was tackled from behind. Aubrey Modiba took the setpiece but was denied by the woodwork. Teboho Mokoena then found the rebound, but he was denied by the defenders. Rayners, too, found a rebound, but his effort sailed over the bar.
In the 35th minute, the hosts snatched the lead through Matthews. The ball started from a counterattack after Malibongwe Khoza headed Durban City’s ball away from inside the area. The ball then found Rayners, who set up Matthews, who made a good run and slotted it past the goalkeeper.
In the 42nd minute, the referee pointed to the spot, awarding Durban City a penalty kick after being tugged inside the area. The visitors failed to convert after RonwenWilliams smacked the ball away. This saw the Bafana Ba Style heading to the break ahead.
In the second stanza, the first big effort came from Teboho Mokoena’s long-range, powerful strike, but the goalkeeper blocked the ball with his body. The ball remained in Durban City’s half, where Masandawana looked to find another goal, but their visitors were not giving them enough space.
Matthews had an opportunity to extend the lead for his side, but the goalkeeper came out from his line to snatch the ball off his feet. The Brazilians were, however, able to beat the goalkeeper on the 66th minute when Rayners extended the lead with a push-in goal that came from Kutlwano Letlhaku’s setup.
The Brazilians continued to look for opportunities to extend their lead, but they were struggling to go past Durban City’s low block. After continuously knocking on the door, the hosts had to settle for the comfortable 3-1 victory.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Cupido, Khoza, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Letlhaku, Rayners, Sales, Mathews.
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Basadien, Mabena, Adams, Morena, Aubaas, Maseko, Shalulile.
Maara Webbie, titanic tussle against the newly promoted team? I really have to applaud 👏 fellow members who’re still going to the stadium to watch the team. Personally, I won’t be watching them on TV very soon as well, I sometimes even forget that we have a game to play. I don’t know what to do with the merchandise I’ve been buying all these years, worse part is that when it comes to the jerseys, I was sometimes buying the authentic ones, the ones worn by the players and those are expensive. I’m slowly, but surely losing interest in this team. This is no longer the team I supported while growing up. The main problem started when this Motsepe family brought their money into the team, they’ve completely destroyed our lovely team and it’s no longer recognisable. We were so fine under the Krok and Tsichlas families, before this arrogant family came into our lives.
We are still lucky to win playing Khoza at the back, who because of lack of speed ends up making fouls in the box, hence penulties. Where is Mvala, we need him and also at Bafana
At least we showed hunger and aggression,we played with speed and high intensity,we released balls quickly especially in the first half.We should build on this performance and give our offensive players more freedom of expression.Sales,Allende and Matthews had the game of their lives and also Letlhaku played good in the second half.Kkhoza and Mokoena must pull up their socks,they we our weakest links,the introduction of Aubaas brought stability.Downs should always play on the front foot home and away,we are a big team.Williams put other players under unnecessary pressure by holding on to the ball for a long time and releasing it when they are closed.Other keepers have goal assists by releasing the ball quickly,the boy doesn’t learn,he is the first keeper in the word for been cautioned for holding the ball for more than 8 seconds,he should be shameful of himself.