United fail to silence their noisy neighbours

WHAT the Tshwane derby lacks in hype, prestige and a sold-out crowd that the Soweto derby enjoys, it makes up for it in entertainment and goals. Yesterday it added drama into the mix, with tempers flaring.

It started even before the MTN8 quarter-final match, won 3-1 by Sundowns, kicked off, resulting in the start being delayed by a minute.

The clubs fought over who should use the bench on the right, which is reserved for the away team. But Sundowns sit on that side in their home matches and at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville – a venue they share with United.

Both teams warmed up on one side, the right. They both went to that bench just before the match started, resulting in the PSL having to intervene.

It was ruled that Sundowns would have to sit on the left. This is what a real derby feels like.

That small drama was reminiscent of the minds games that Sundowns have endured on the road on their continental safari. United responded in kind by not budging when Sundowns brought those tricks here. Matsatsantsa a Pitori chairman Khulu Sibiya joked at the club’s awards on August 18 that they should silence their noisy neighbours.

But it was Sundowns who opened the scoring in the 18th minute, after a scramble in the United box, with Wayne Arendse quickest to react.

Kingston Nkhatha shook things up when he came on for Bradley Grobler with four minutes left in the first half. The Zimbabwean scored with his first touch, with a looping header from Jeremy Brockie’s cross to bring United level.

Sibusiso Vilakazi’s goal was tinged with luck. Hlompho Kekana’s brilliant volley hit Vilakazi’s face, which directed the ball past Ronwen Williams. When Khama Billiat, curled in the third goal – the match was already wrapped up.

For all of United’s brave fight, Sundowns countered it with their class to win their first match of the 2016-17 season comfortably. But the Brazilians have had plenty of practice for this campaign, playing four games, while the other teams were in recess.

Juggling three competitions will test Sundowns’ depth, with the PSL to defend, a two-leg MTN8 semi-final and a semi-final in the Caf Champions League against Zesco United.

However, the first leg of that match against Zesco in Zambia clashes with the second leg of Sundowns’ MTN8 tie with Chippa United on the weekend of September 17 in Pretoria.