Tshwane derby was a real battle
There was certainly far more action in Sunday’s Tshwane derby between SuperSport and Mamelodi Sundowns than there had been in the first MTN8 semifinal between Polokwane City and Highlands Park.
SuperSport were at home, and this forced them to be a bit more adventurous and try to win the game against Sundowns, while there wasn’t really any pressure on Sundowns, who were able to slow the game down and wait for SuperSport to be aggressive, and catch them on the counter-attack.
It was an evenly balanced game, SuperSport had one or two opportunities at the end that they could have buried to get the winner, but all in all they didn’t lose and 1-1 is a decent scoreline for both sides, though Sundowns will be the happier of the two.
The strength of SuperSport’s front three of Evans Rusike, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Bradley Grobler comes from the midfield working well and covering the spaces behind them. The front three always provide an outlet, whether it is Rusike on the right, or one of Grobler or Gabuza moving to the left.
If you are looking for speed you play the ball to Rusike, and if you are looking for hold-up play, you give it to Gabuza or Bradley.
It is really working for them, and Gabuza and Grobler have a great partnership already. But I did mention the midfield, and it is no surprise Dean Furman was Man of the Match against Sundowns. His understanding of the game allows Sipho Mbule and Tshepo Mokoena to go forward freely, it allows them to support the front three with the peace of mind that Furman is covering for them.
Sundowns are also always an attacking threat, with the quality they possess they can just switch it on and off. They have a very flexible formation that allows their front three to move freely, making them difficult to mark.
Sibusiso Vilakazi often gets three chances per game, Gaston Sirino gets two or three. This is because of their mobility up front.
Sirino started the season on the bench, and was not too happy, but South Americans tend to be feisty in a positive way. He has shown he should be starting. It speaks volumes that he has been handed the No 10 shirt. He will certainly be an asset if Pitso Mosimane manages to control his temper. It is about knowing when to step in and manage him.
Highlands Park will be happier than Polokwane City with their 0-0 draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. Teams are starting to understand that it is not easy to go to Highlands’ home at the Makhulong Stadium and get a result.
Highlands looked to keep it tight in Polokwane and tried to score from a free-kick. There were no variations, they hit their set-pieces long for Tendai Ndoro, Mothobi Mvala or Bevan Fransman. Ndoro missed a chance and Mvala had a chance at the end of the first half, that would probably have seen a Highlands away win.
City were better in the second half, but still found it difficult to break down a makeshift Highlands defence. Highlands did well not to concede. Against them you really have to concentrate for 90 plus minutes.
With Molefi Ntseki, the South African Football Association have definitely chosen the cheap option but I also hope it is the right option. I like coach Ntseki and I want to focus on the positives.