Sundowns keep foot on pedal
Sirino 58’ (0)(0) (0)(1)
IT was far from pretty. But Mamelodi Sundowns had just enough depth and quality to ensure that their perfect run continued in the league after bagging full points against Golden Arrows away from home to go four points clear at the top.
After opening their CAF Champions League qualifying campaign on a mild note, drawing 2-2 with Maniema Union away from home, Sundowns were eager to consolidate their top spot in the league, after five victories and one draw.
The ambition to make Chloorkop a home of the Premiership trophy remained intact as a Gaston Sirino strike in the second half gave the Brazilians all three points against Abafana Bes'thende at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium yesterday. Sundowns, though, will admit they were not at their best.
Arrows’ sloppiness in front of goal in both halves was their worst enemy.
Had the home team taken the chances, it would have been a different story.
They even missed a penalty in the second half after Michael Gumede put his spot-kick wide following a foul on Siyabonga Khumalo.
Sundowns went into the game without their key players. Some are injured while others were rested ahead of their CAF return leg at home to Maniema.
Those who played did little to impress national coach Hugo Broos who was in the stands.
The Bafana coach is determined to get the best players for the two Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana next month.
One would expect Sundowns’ players to dominate the squad after their recent outings.
But that might not be the case, with Broos eager to give everyone a chance, based on form and not past experiences. Arrows players and coaching staff will take positives from this game as they were impressive from the outset.
After that 2-2 Champions League draw on Sunday, Sundowns made a host of changes to the team that travelled to DRC.
Arrows arrived high on confidence after beating Marumo Gallants in the league, and they were eager to avenge their 4-1 loss on aggregate to Sundowns in the MTN8 semis.
That determination from Abafana Bes’thende was evident from the outset as they created the first clear chances of the game.
Nkosinathi Sibisi put a shot from a corner kick into the side netting. Pule Mmodi then unleashed an effort wide.
The bigger culprit was Velemseni Ndwandwe who put his header wide off a cross from Mthokozisi Dube. Ndwandwe let Sundowns off the hook one too many times.
After the half-hour mark, with his back against goal, Knox Mutizwa laid the ball for Ndwandwe who blasted his shot over the crossbar.
Arrows were left to rue their missed chances as the Brazilians stepped up when it mattered.
A quick build-up from the champions in the second half ensured that they bagged all three points. Sibusiso Vilakazi found Thabiso Kutumela who set up Sirino with a diagonal pass. Sirino picked his spot and slotted past Maximilian Mbaeva.