Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United played to an exciting 1-1 draw in the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The match got off to a flyer, with both sides making their intentions clear from the get go. Thamsanqa Gabuza was the first to have an attempt at Denis Onyango’s goal with a towering header in the 5th minute.
Then Themba Zwane, Lebogang Maboe and Tebogo Langerman combined with some nifty touches in the 8th minute of the match. Maboe’s attempt was saved by Ronwen Williams, then Gaston Sirino had a second bite of the cherry with a powerful half volley which was blocked by a defender, then Sibusiso Vilakazi’s diving header being saved by the United keeper.
Sirino came to life and showed real danger when he beat the offside trap and four United defenders in the 24th minute. His effort from a tight angle narrowly missed both the target and Zwane’s long stretch attempt.
Anele Ngcongca saved Sundowns the blushes in the 35th minute when he cleared the ball off the line after a dangerous looking corner kick which deceived even the evergreen Onyango.
After numerous attempts at goal Gabuza was not to be denied in the 41st minute when he headed home a beautifuly laid back ball from Onismor Bhasera to put the home side 1-0 up. The lead didn’t last that long however, as Sundowns were all level two minutes later.
It started with Sirino’s quick thinking after being fouled just outside the centerline. The South American took a quick restart and layed the ball for Zwane, who blitzed the United Captain Dean Furman, then a cheeky back heel to release Langerman. Clayton Daniels’ attempted clerence fell for Sirino who made no mistake inside the box.
The players headed for the half to break with both sides tied on 1-1. The match was evenly balanced from both United and Sundowns who had seven and eight shots on target respectively.
The match resumed with the same high tempo and it was the home side who had the first real attempt at goal through towering defender Bongani Khumalo but Onyango pulled a top drawer save to keep matters level.
It was end to end stuff and Sundowns got their tales up in search of the lead. Ngcongca and Langerman’s attempts were denied by some solid defending from United.
The match ended with the 1-1 draw but it is Sundowns who have the advantage with the all important away goal.
STARTING ELEVEN: Denis Onyango, Anele Ngcongca, Wayne Arendse, Mosa Lebusa, Tebogo Langerman, Sammy Seabi, Hlompho Kekana (C), Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Lebongang Maboe
SUBSTITUTES:
Reyaad Pieterse, Tiyani Mabunda, Lyle Lakay, Sphelele Mkhulise, Emiliano Tade, Motjeka Madisha, Andile Jali
I am impressed by Seabi , There is a romm for improvement, now
that. Vila has lost form
We need Aubrey Ngoma’s pace
upfront, his finishing
ability will take the
pressure off Maboe &
Sirino. Overall we
played very well but
the players who are off form must be
Substituted. Ngoma
is the player that must be given a
Change
Thanks Villa keep on missing those easy chances to score so that our cries can be heard one day,others are still sitting on grandstand for little mistake they did but Villa and Maboe are guaranteed the starting line up to every games.
We went for the draw as if We are guaranteed to proceed to the final.Mr Mosimane why are you always crying about those players missing chances as if you are forced to field them,just do the honourable thing put them on grandstand or in the bench so that they can pull up their socks and fight for the jersey.I wish those fringe players can all be released tomorrow its painfully to always see them on grandstand and singing with supporters after the games We didn’t buy them to do that but to play.Kby forever
Vila need to be rested,he should earn his place coz,now he only plays bcoz coach loves him.He was never in the game together with Temba,they should not play at the same time bcoz they both too slow.Mkhulise only 13 minutes yet he performed better than them combined.Pitsi’s over reliance to them will cause us games bcoz he takes long to replace them when they are not playing well.Coach don’t make some players to feel like they own positions,creat a heathy competition by treating players equally.The only threat Supersport had was on high balls,we just made them look good bcoz we had passengers in the team and couldn’t replace them in time,that was an easy game to win.
Hhayi uVila noMaboe kuyala bakithi, they very slow, poor first touch, lose balls easily, cannot decide wat to do when they have the ball, is Phaka injured members?
Pitso s post match comments an unbelievable miss by Vilalazi.As if selecting people according to regionalism(Limpopo&Gauteng) and tribalism is a good thing,no matter how awful&off form a player is he is,is going to finish the game anyway.Suprsport is playing with gladiators as we don’t have them at Sundowns,where’s you sign them& not utilise them.Had Pitso tolerated Ntuli&Ali Meza the way you did with Vilalazi &Maboe they should have been the best strikers of all time.Im saying this because u hated Laffor’s miss against Pirates that u never looked him until Vilalazi was injured last year &when he (Vilalazi)came just went straight to the starting line-up &never dared him to fight for his position but gave him his place on a silver platter.Pitso you are starting not to b a father figure now to this Sundowns family.Acknowledge people xa bengenzi kakuhle and substitute them.I was insulted when I asked the wisdom to sign Tade when we r not believing on an out and out striker,but we r subjected to this mediocrity of a performance only because Vilalazi scored a cracker against Supersport and Maboe is playing regularly because he is Sotho boy.
Maboe and Villa are out of form but they are still guaranteed to be in the first eleven (I wonder how much they pay to the coach). Themba does as he wishes, over dribbling and loses the ball easily. Sirino was better than them all, but got substituted. Pitso’s favouritism wont end now. Someone from management must intervene please. We were so lucky to draw with Supersport. Maboe, Villa and Themba they are on comfort zone and its gonna cost us. If we can continue like this, I don’t see us beating supersport on the 18.
I can’t agree with you more member! Themba plays as he wishes! I feel Themba and Vila shld fight for one position. We can’t play on transition because of them. As for Moboe, the coach must just bring in Rantie and afford him the same patience that he is giving this dude. I really dont know what Moboe is doing in the team to get selected in every game that we play.
we need an out and out striker soon… plz
Skhumba I am with you. Coach please sign rantie, maboe ‘s shoes are becoming to big for him. He is selfish and not focused he needs a stif competition it will be a wake up call for him.
I’ve been calling for T K as the solution, to remind you of what I said… Sundowns are the only team that can take a financial risk on Rantie… for the benefits of talent he possesses…. those were my words… personally I’m tired of FALSE…MAboe,Vilakazi….in the name of FALSE NO 9…. it’s funny we should not be talking like this, Sundowns is a big team we should be looking forward to every game of Sundowns…so I agree with LUNGSTA,SKHUMBA,MALESELA,MNFANA,Downs4ever…. members ur on point..and I don’t think u don’t appreciate what the coach has done…but have the love of the team… Kabuyellow!!
Yazi yini masandawana mina what i see but I’m not sure this boy Maboe he is holding the ball for midfielders I don’t know maybe the coach told him to do so not trying to score goals as a striker
As for Villa he is one of our best players I think the coach will talk to him because I saw his reaction when Vila missed the last chance this boy will score many goals for the team