Sundowns cruise to victory away in Bloemfontein

MagRush writer  |  August 29, 2019 

Wednesday night saw six matches played nationwide in the Absa Premiership championship long battle. Nine goals were scored across six fixtures with four wins and two goalless draws registered. As the league breaks for international matches, Rhulani Mokwena, Orlando Pirates caretaker coach, wished he could have all his players [at the club’s camp] after yet another disappointing outcome last night. Like a tectonic machine running out of gas, helpless Pirates are faintly firing blanks lately.

Absa Premiership results – brief report and goal scorers. 

Bloemfontein Celtic 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns

Sundowns goal came from an unlikely source: Mosa Lebusa[16′]. The centerback rolled the ball into the net on a rebound after Nhlompo Kekana smashed the upright from a long-range thunderbolt. Praising Kekana, Pitso Mosimane, Sundowns head coach, said he enjoyed his role of intercepting more balls than usual and playing selective long passes.

Kekana was bungled in the 18-yard area and the referee pointed to the spot. Sundowns eased into safety mode when the tricky Themba Zwane [50′] cemented and sealed the victory by converting a penalty-kick. From there onwards, Sundowns begun to manage the game by pulling out Sibusiso Vilakazi and introduce Andile Jali among other players.

Very late in the game the ball hit Jali’s hand in the box and Celtic pulled one back through a penalty-kick by Sera Motebang [87′]. Nevertheless, it was not enough to mount a mighty come back against the smooth-operators from Pretoria. Celtic coach Lehlohonolo Seema lauded his team for trying hard against the star-studded and well-polished defending champions.

It was a “good game to watch,” Mosimane commented in a post-match interview. “We [Sundowns] did well in defense” because Celtic play on the break and that’s how they banged 5 goals against Arrows, he added. True to form, the effervescent fans in Dr Molemela stadium sung their lungs out until everybody left the pitch.

Baroka FC    0-2   SuperSport United

Away in Polokwane, SuperSport fetched three points against a hapless Baroka. Playing in front of the home crowd, Baroka fell below par last night. Meanwhile, the Pretoria side, SuperSport, must be overflowing with unbridled joy for their team is gelling and results are coming. Therefore, they have every reason to be on cloud nine. The two goals came from Dean Furman [53′] and Jamie Webber [90′].

Baroka have to introspect deeply to determine how they succumbed under their guests’ watch and surrendered maximum points without a fight.

Bidvest Wits   2-1   Stellenbosch

Meanwhile at Bidvest stadium in Johannesburg Wits handed down a lesson to the Absa Premiership newcomers: Stellenbosch. The debutants are finding it hard with every passing fixture to cope with the tormenting demands of top-flight football (in the Absa Premiership league). Although the final score ended 2-1, all (the 3) goals came from Wits players.

Thulani Hlatshwayo [63′] and Gift Motupa [88′] provided the inspiration for the Jo’burgers. Just after 8 minutes from putting the host ahead, Hlatshwayo cancelled his goal – Wits’ lead – through an own goal [71′] which offered Stellenbosch a consolation far away from home. Wits [on 9 points] are sniffing behind Kaizer Chiefs (with 10 points) who are precariously perched on top of the league table. Stellenbosch are on position number 15 [with 2 points] on the log without a single win.

Chippa United   0-0  Polokwane City

Away from home, Polokwane City maintained their good momentum by holding Chippa United to a goalless draw in Mandela Bay stadium. The outcome does not bode well for Chippa in the position [13] they are in the league scale albeit a familiar one. City are on position 5 in the league. Sharing the spoils can not always be bad under the circumstances for either side even though a bitter pill for Chippa – the host – to swallow. 

Orlando Pirates   0-0  Golden Arrows 

What appeared to be a cautious start for Pirates in the first half would become the theme of the entire match, save for a few light ineffective sparks here and there at the end of the match after the introduction of Thembinkosi Lorch who did not commence with the game. Innecent Maela rattled the crossbar from a corner-kick in the first half. The closest Pirates ever came to bulging the back on the net.

Arrows nearly snatched a win from a dipping long-range strike only to find Wayne Sandilands equal to the task – flicking the shot over the bar with fingertips. The clash was rather lukewarm and overly managed by both clubs. A draw was pinned on the wall.

It was “a game of small margins,” Steve Komphela, Arrows head coach, said eloquently at the end of the match. He further intimated that they [Arrows] were wary and not adventurous as guests at Orlando stadium; yet “a lot of energy was burnt” in middlefield.

Rhulani Mokwena had this to say after the Arrows match:

It was a brave Pirates tonight out in the field. A club [Pirates] that is learning and patience is needed. Goals are alluding us. The goals will come; we have to keep going. The same players challenged for the title and chased Sundowns all the way to the last soprano the previous season. We wish our players wouldn’t go for the international break. 

Maritzburg United  0-1  Black Leopards

Remarkable results of the night arose from Harry Gwala stadium where visiting Leopards on the prowl mauled Maritzburg by one swing – an ought goal from Lesedi Alton Kapinga [43′]. The host were stunned! It is not going well for the Maritzburg heach coach [Eric Tinkler] over there. Certainly, Black Leopards could not have asked for a better gift after a dull start to the league. It is their first win of the 2019/2020 season and they will cherish it as they go on a reprieve for the coming few days. 

Last night’s matches catapult Absa Premiership into a brief (2-week) recess, making way for the FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) schedule for international games. The will league resume on the 14th of September 2019.