Downs narrow gap
PREMIERSHIP: BRAZILIANS GRAB BRAGGING RIGHTS IN TSHWANE DERBY
When Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs look over their shoulder they will realise that defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are now seven points behind them in the race for the title, after the Brazilians beat crosstown rivals SuperSport United 2-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Themba Zwane marked his return from suspension with a goal in the capital city derby to put the visitors’ noses in front after Matsatsantsa A Pitori defenders failed to clear their lines. Sundowns went into the break with the advantage and when the second half started Kaitano Tembo was the first one to look to his bench for options.
Tembo’s first change was striker Thamsanqa Gabuza, whose introduction meant Siyabonga Nhlapho, who started the games in an unfamiliar central defensive position, had to revert to his natural right-back position as youngster Luke Fleurs was withdrawn.
Immediately after Gabuza’s introduction, SuperSport surged forward and won themselves a penalty which skipper Dean Furman slotted into the bottom corner, out of Denis Onyango’s reach. The pendulum of attack swung from one end of the pitch to the other as both sides launched attack after attack but it was Masandawana who found the back of the net after countless probes.
It was just after the hour mark when Downs captain Hlompho Kekana found himself on the right flank where he delivered an inch-perfect cross to Thapelo Morena, who is known for his pace more than his shooting skills. But yesterday, he scored what could easily be described as the goal of his career when he connected well with the Kekana cross to fire a volley past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to restore Sundowns’ lead.
Tembo’s camp was dealt an injury blow when attacker Evans Rusike could not recover from a rash tackle and he had to come off. The young Gamphani Lungu was the player thrown in and he almost found the equaliser just after coming on but his attempt was dealt with by Onyango.
Pitso Mosimane was also forced to make a substitution and after Morena took a knock in the 74th minute. Mosimane then handed attacker Phakamani Mahlambi his first game after missing out of action for a while after injury. Tembo then countered that with his final substitution and on came Thabo Qalinge to try and tilt the game in United’s favour but the former Orlando Pirates winger was carefully dealt with by veteran defender Anele Ngcongca as Masandawana managed to hold on and claim all three points on offer.