Downs pile more pressure on Wits
FANTASTIC: KEKANA SHOWS WHY HE’S THE SKIPPER
Michaelson Gumede
In recent memory, the Masandawana faithful have never made the infamous “substitution” gesture more than they did in the opening 30 minutes or so of Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-0 win over Black Leopards last night at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The Brazilians eventually claimed the victory to move within three points behind Absa Premiership leaders Bidvest Wits, but most of their first-half was characterised by missed chances.
Downs created and wasted numerous chances before breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute.
The opening goal was truly a thing of beauty and the Masandawana faithful have their captain Hlompho Kekana to thank for his industrious work.
The skipper tracked back to disposes Mwape Musonda with a brilliant tackle, and then he looked up to dispatch a pin-point pass to Gaston Sirino, who beautifully found Lebogang Maboe with the outside of his right foot. Maboe made no mistake and finished off what was a marvelous move instigated by Man-of-theMatch Kekana.
There is an ancient saying in football that says defending facing your own goal is the most challenging. Isaac Masia knows exactly what that means as he put the ball past his goalkeeper King Ndlovu to score an own goal. Masia tapped in from close range in a supposed clearance that went wrong.
Leopards coach Dylan Kerr was the first to make a change in personnel when he brought on Robert Ng’ambi 28 minutes into the first-half. Kerr called on Ivan Mahangwahaya in the place of Tsheamo Mashoene, while Pitso Mosimane introduced defender Anele Ngcongca, withdrawing fan favourite Anthony Laffor around the hour mark.
About 20 minutes later, Kerr gave Thokozani Sekotlong his Lidoda Duvha debut. However, Sekotlong could not make much of an impact against his parent club as he is on loan from Bafana Ba Style until the end of the season.
In the dying moments of the game, Pentjie Zulu tried to take one for the team when he dived and handled the ball inside the box in an attempt to stop a Kekana bolting shot. However, he could not cheat referee Daniel Bennett who did not hesitate to point at the spot. Ricardo Nascimento stepped up to make it 3-0.