Sirino shines as Downs beat Stars

Michaelson Gumede

Pitso Mosimane has said he is expecting Gaston Sirino to carry his Mamelodi Sundowns side – and the Uruguayan lived up to that following his brace that inspired the Brazilians to a 3-1 Absa Premiership win over Free State Stars last night at Loftus Versfeld.

Sirino scored the first from the penalty spot in the 24th minute to extend Downs’ lead to two goals after Jeremy Brockie had opened the scoring 12 minutes earlier.

The New Zealand-born striker breathed a huge sigh of relief when he scored his first official goal in the colours of Masandawana, bringing an end to a goal drought that spanned over a year.

Sirino put Downs in cruise control in the 27th minute following brilliant work down the right flank to dispossess Sinethemba Jantjie and create space for himself to dispatch a well-executed strike past Stars keeper Ali Sangare.

Ea Lla Koto pulled one back through striker Harris Tchilimbou about 10 minutes before the end of the first half. Stars coach Luc Eymael made a substitution shortly after Tchilimbou’s goal, bringing on Maboke Matlakala in the place of Cesair Gandze.

Mosimane played his first card on the hour mark when he withdrew Aubrey Ngoma. The pacey left winger, who was one of the four changes effected by Mosimane from their 2-0 loss to Baroka FC in the Telkom Knockout, had not started for Downs since February. Tiyani Mabunda came on for the former Cape Town City winger and joined Andile Jali and Hlompho Kekana in the heart of midfield.

Ali Meza was the next player that “Jingles” sent on from the bench as he withdrew Brockie in the final 12 minutes. Downs had a chance to extend their lead when Lyle Lakay surged down the left flank only to see his strike find the side netting.

In another opportunity, Sirino, who was searching for a hat-trick, unleashed a powerful shot but Sangare was up to the task.