Downs just too good for United
TSHWANE: 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 as Sundowns emerged 3-1 winners.
It started even before the MTN8 quarter-final match 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 reminiscence 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 before the first half. The Zimbabwean scored with his first touch, with a looping header from Jeremy Brockie’s cross to level 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-legged MTN8 semifinal and a semifinal 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.
Wits will host Cape Town City in the first leg, which will be played on the weekend of 10 September. CAPE TOWN CITY are in negotiations to play the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final at Newlands rugby stadium next month.
After yesterday’s draw for the last four of the competition, City are scheduled to face Wits in the first leg in Johannesburg on the weekend of September 10, with the second leg scheduled for the Mother City the following weekend.
The other semi-final pits Chippa United against Mamelodi Sundowns, who yesterday eliminated SuperSport United 3-1 at Loftus in Pretoria. Port Elizabeth-based Chippa will be home for the first leg.
The semi-finals of this competition is played over two legs, on a home and away basis.
Cape Town Stadium is not available on the weekend of September 17, which is why City will have to find another venue “We have already started discussions with Newlands and will be able to confirm whether we will play there later this week,” said City boss John Comitis.
Irrespective of the venue, though, City have a tough task against last season’s league runners-up Wits, but there remains a quiet yet steely air of confidence about the new Mother City PSL club.
Wits are always tough. They have an experienced squad, but, over two legs, I give us a great chance of making the final.” - John Comitis
“Wits are always tough,” said Comitis. “They have an experienced squad, but, over two legs, I give us a great chance of making the final.”
But, for City, after a magnificent start, whatever happens from here on is just a bonus. When the club was established in June, after Comitis bought the PSL franchise of Mpumalanga Black Aces, three landmarks were identified. Two have been achieved, as Comitis explains.
“Right at the beginning we sat down and had a look at the opening few weeks of our fixture programme and highlighted three games that were of special significance,” said Comitis. “We said that, in those three games, we would either sink or ride the wave.
“First up was the opening league game of the season, against Polokwane City, because you don’t get a second opportunity to grab attention. Then, it was the MTN8 quarter-final against Chiefs, and we said that, irrespective of the result, we would go into it with nothing to lose, and that the statement we would make with our performance would be irreplaceable.
“And, thirdly, the next landmark was to reclaim the city and that was to make a point in the derby against Ajax Cape Town on September 23 (at Cape Town Stadium). We’ve got two league games before we play Ajax (Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates), but the fixture against Ajax is where we want to announce to the Cape that we have arrived, that we are here. The objective was always to pick our moments – Polokwane, Chiefs and Ajax. And that’s where our next focus is… Ajax.”
There is no doubt, though, that City have already made an impact – on the Cape, on the PSL and the South African football fraternity as a whole. In a short space of time, they’ve got people talking, while clubs in the PSL certainly know the Capetonians are a team to be reckoned with.
The hard-fought 1-0 win over Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday, which earned City a place in the semi-finals of the competition, provided clear proof of the industry and competitiveness which opponents can expect from the Cape side this season.
Friday’s winning goal came courtesy of Australian Matt Sim, whose lung-bursting performance was symbolic of the spirit and commitment of City’s resolve in the victory over Chiefs.
“I heard some great things about the crowds here (in South Africa),” said Sim. “The crowd, what a great atmosphere… Kaizer Chiefs are a good side, but hats off to the team. We were resilient and defended well to get the win.
“From what I have seen of the PSL so far, it is a very strong league. There are some very talented players. I have been very impressed with the standard.” Sim may be new to the PSL, but he’s had two impressive outings for City – and he explained the secret to the Cape side’s outstanding opening to the campaign.
“This team is like one big family,” said the Australian. “We are all in it together and we all work as hard as we can, so hopefully we’ll get some success along the way.”