Mamelodi Sundowns have booked themselves a place in the last four of the Nedbank Cup after they defeated Orlando Pirates by four goals to one at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Thursday evening. This win sets up another clash with Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Sunday in the semi-final. Masandawana are the defending champions of the Ke Yona Cup, a trophy they won last season in the treble-winning season.
Coach Manqoba Mngqithi reflected on the match and said he was pleased with the way everything turned for his charges: “The game came out the way we had anticipated it, we knew that if we can press them from the top by putting some pressing traps on certain individuals we can benefit. Our analysis also showed that they concede goals in the early stages of the game, that was why we were piling a lot of pressure in the beginning and also in the early stages of the second half. What was important was to guide against their transition from defence to attack because they are very quick. It was unfortunate for us to concede the goal we conceded.”
The goals from Masandawana were scored by Peter Shalulile, Themba Zwane and the inspired substitute duo of Lesedi Kapinga and Hlompho Kekana.
“Credit must be given to our boys, they worked very hard in making sure that they minimize a lot of transitions because when you play against Pirates it will be back and forth a lot and you are putting it into a contest and it is a game that they are comfortable with. We did that very well and we were very composed with our build-ups, we frustrated them a lot with our movement off the ball. Unfortunately, when you do not take your chances you make the game into a contest, from the chances we created in the first half we could have buried the game. They got the goal from a silly mistake and from that goal the game becomes a contest and the anxiety creeps in because you are thinking about the chances you missed and that they will come back and bite you.”
Bafana Ba Style now sets their target on Vhadau Vha Damani on Sunday and a win will book a place in the final of the Nedbank Cup.
The yesterday game made me cry tears of joy,actual I was having butterflies on my stomach leading to that game.
This is the Downs I first supported in 1686 after We won Mainstay Cup against Cosmos.There was no casual on our players including the man of the match Zwane,we’re serious and if we can play like that to incoming games no team can match us even aMaZulu this coming Thursday will bite the dust. If Sirino don’t wanna take his game to another level he must better watch my main man Kapinga he will make him sit on the bench.
Lastly to our Wiaemen I salute you this soccer we are playing reminds me of Westerhof or Stoickhov era even though they didn’t won any trophy but we’re ruthless what I’m praying don’t let anyone divide you and if you keep your feet on the ground Downs will be dominating African Continent in many more years to come and I was thinking if We have Tau or Billiat with those players ngabe khona ababezophonsela itowel before the game like in boxing.Kby forever
Just bcoz we beat Pirates we aren’t guaranteed victory against TTM,you need to eat grass and sweat blood on Sunday.If we loose on Sunday,all the hard work we put yesterday will be equal to nothing.You will be forgiven if you win minimum of 2 trophies.Please let’s welcome our new President and honour Madisha in style by winning trophies not a trophy.AMEN.
Treat every games equal no team to be undermine professional teams are same applied same methods plse make us happy we need goals i thank u yellow nation