Downs show who’s boss
Brazilians claim bragging rights in Pretoria derby
The yellow side of the city once again triumphed over the blue as Mamelodi Sundowns demonstrated their superior class with a 2-1 victory over SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby yesterday. As was expected, the Brazilians were not just dominant from the start but they tore their neighbours to shreds in the opening phase. Sundowns have not lost to their city rivals in 11 Absa Premiership games. The last time SuperSport walked away with a win was in March 2013 when they won 1-0. Since then Sundowns have bagged nine wins and there have been two draws. The former African kings unleashed an onslaught that suggested they wanted to punish SuperSport for having the audacity of thinking they could pull off a victory in midweek. During the week Matsatsantsa coach Kaitano Tembo had spoken of his ambitions of upsetting his former mentor Pitso Mosimane, who coached him at the club in the early 2000s. Sundowns showed their quality from the get-go and in the 10th minute took the lead with a strike from midfielder Lebohang Maboe. They continued to impose their authority in the first-half and doubled their lead in the 34th minute with a goal from Lyle Lakay.
With his team 0-2 down and minutes left before the interval, Tembo rang in the changes after his initial game plan failed.
He brought in Aubrey Modiba for Phumlani Ntshangase in the midfield. Having made their changes before the break, SuperSport started the second half with improved vigour. It was Modiba who provided the assist for their goal in the 66th minute that was converted by defender Morgan Gould. Sundowns began to show signs of fatigue from traveling to Equatorial Guinea for the CAF Champions League preliminary round days before the game. With Sundowns playing with nothing left in the tank, the home team looked to capitalise. But the experience of the Brazilians pulled them through as they held on for the win. Elsewhere, Polokwane City beat Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1 at the Dr Molemela Stadium.