Unstoppable Sundowns march on
by Marc Strydom,
2016-03-02 05:00:00.0
A TORRENTIAL downpour could not silence Mamelodi Sundowns’ supporters urging their side on a march to what seems an inevitable Absa premiership title, as the Brazilians overcame SuperSport United 2-0 in tough conditions.
Asavela Mbekile, in the 40th minute, and the blisteringly in-form Khama Billiat (75th) scored breakaway goals for a Downs team who now have a 10-point gap at the top of the PSL.
Much was made of the meeting once again on the touchlines of former Kaizer Chiefs boss, now SuperSport coach, Stuart Baxter, and his Downs counterpart, Pitso Mosimane.
The biggest action, though, that took place on the field was in the shape of a monstrous storm that forced referee Daniel Bennett to suspend play from the 33rd minute, for 36 minutes.
Mosimane made one enforced change for injured leftback Tebogo Langerman from the side that beat Zimbabwean club Chicken Inn 2-0 on Saturday.
Themba Zwane came into left midfield and Mzikayise Mashaba dropped back to defence.
Baxter brought in Thabo September and Thato Mokeke for Michael Morton and Dove Wome from his side’s 4-2 away victory against Jomo Cosmos.
Downs were in the ascendancy, before having to run to the change-rooms. Billiat’s run ended with SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams getting a touch to distract a sliding Leonardo Castro to sweep wide.
Keagan Dolly struck a drive from 25m a foot over. Then the winger shot across the face of goal. The downpour started on the half-hour, then referee Bennett led the players off the field, as supporters scattered for cover.
Four minutes from the restart, with the pitch soaked but perfectly playable, Thuso Phala saw his shot deflected across goal.
A minute later, on the counter-attack from the resultant corner, Downs had the lead. Castro’s pass put skilful right-back Mbekile through to beat the offside like a striker, the ex-Moroka Swallows midfielder expertly chipping an advancing Williams for pulling off a finish that was a lot harder to execute than it looked.
Early in the second half, SuperSport made some effort to get back into the game.
Thuso Phala again found space on the right and his powerful strike was stopped by an excellent reflex save from Denis Onyango.
But a careful Sundowns regained control of possession, and patiently waited for the chance to strike like the lightning that had earlier seemingly struck nearby.
With SuperSport attempting to push forward, Castro’s pass found Billiat down a huge gap down the middle and the little Zimbabwean was never going to make a mistake with a finely curled finish past Williams.
Asavela Mbekile celebrates his goal with teammates during the Absa Premiership match between SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday in Pretoria. Picture: LEFTY SHIVAMBU/GALLO IMAGES
A TORRENTIAL downpour could not silence Mamelodi Sundowns’ supporters urging their side on a march to what seems an inevitable Absa premiership title, as the Brazilians overcame SuperSport United 2-0 in tough conditions.
Asavela Mbekile, in the 40th minute, and the blisteringly in-form Khama Billiat (75th) scored breakaway goals for a Downs team who now have a 10-point gap at the top of the PSL.
Much was made of the meeting once again on the touchlines of former Kaizer Chiefs boss, now SuperSport coach, Stuart Baxter, and his Downs counterpart, Pitso Mosimane.
The biggest action, though, that took place on the field was in the shape of a monstrous storm that forced referee Daniel Bennett to suspend play from the 33rd minute, for 36 minutes.
Mosimane made one enforced change for injured leftback Tebogo Langerman from the side that beat Zimbabwean club Chicken Inn 2-0 on Saturday.
Themba Zwane came into left midfield and Mzikayise Mashaba dropped back to defence.
Baxter brought in Thabo September and Thato Mokeke for Michael Morton and Dove Wome from his side’s 4-2 away victory against Jomo Cosmos.
Downs were in the ascendancy, before having to run to the change-rooms. Billiat’s run ended with SuperSport goalkeeper Ronwen Williams getting a touch to distract a sliding Leonardo Castro to sweep wide.
Keagan Dolly struck a drive from 25m a foot over. Then the winger shot across the face of goal. The downpour started on the half-hour, then referee Bennett led the players off the field, as supporters scattered for cover.
Four minutes from the restart, with the pitch soaked but perfectly playable, Thuso Phala saw his shot deflected across goal.
A minute later, on the counter-attack from the resultant corner, Downs had the lead. Castro’s pass put skilful right-back Mbekile through to beat the offside like a striker, the ex-Moroka Swallows midfielder expertly chipping an advancing Williams for pulling off a finish that was a lot harder to execute than it looked.
Early in the second half, SuperSport made some effort to get back into the game.
Thuso Phala again found space on the right and his powerful strike was stopped by an excellent reflex save from Denis Onyango.
But a careful Sundowns regained control of possession, and patiently waited for the chance to strike like the lightning that had earlier seemingly struck nearby.
With SuperSport attempting to push forward, Castro’s pass found Billiat down a huge gap down the middle and the little Zimbabwean was never going to make a mistake with a finely curled finish past Williams.
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