Mamelodi Sundowns returned to the top of the Absa Premiership table, when they downed Santos 3-1 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

 

Wayne Sandilands made a return in between the poles for ‘The Brazilians’, while captain fantastic, Teko Modise missed the match as he is still nursing a knock he picked up in the match against Maritzburg United. Veteran Midfielder and Zimbabwean International Esrom Nyandoro captained the side and did so with flying colours.

Nyasha Mushekwi almost broke the deadlock within five minutes of kickoff, when he met Lebohang Mokoena’s well taken corner kick but sent his header slightly wide.

Mokoena and Punch Masenamela were proving to be a handful for the Santos defence on the left flank, with their neat touches which caused all sorts of problems for the visitors.

In the 20th minute the pair combined well to lay the ball back for Hlompo Kekana, who switched play to the right and found Elias Pelembe and the skilful Mozambican drove in a powerful cross which was deflected for an own goal by Santos defender, Pere Ariweriyai to give Sundowns the lead.

A few minutes later Mushekwi almost doubled Sundowns’ lead after connecting well with a cross by Walter Maponyane, who made a spirited run down the right flank.

Pelembe and Mokoena switched sides and Pelembe operated the left side, while Mokoena on the right dished the same devastating pace for the visitors, who were struggling to keep tabs on the speedy player.

Mushekwi was not to be denied for the third time and rose above everyone to slot Sundowns’ second goal in the 38th minute after meeting Mokoena’s well delivered cross.

Nyandoro took the responsibility of being captain in his strides, as he marshalled the midfield like a commander and lead by example in defending and attacking to prove why Coach Neeskens has put so much faith in him.

Sundowns had the lion share of ball possession for most of the first half and the match went into the halftime break with ‘The Brazilians’ leading by two goals.

In the 63rd minute Maponyane hit a long pass from the right to find Cheeseboy, who and the nippy player combined well with Kekana, knitting together a series of beautiful touches before Kekana hit a screamer that left the Santos goalkeeper left for dead, giving ‘Bafana Ba Style’ a 3-0 lead.

In the 68th minute Coach Neeskens made his first substitution of the match and brought in Musa Nyatama for Mokoena, who received a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance as he made his way off the pitch.

Santos pulled one back in the 75th minute through their danger-man Eleazar Rodgers to give the visitors some hope of a comeback.

Coach Neeskens made another change in the 79th minute bringing in Richard Henyekane for Pelembe, who was a headache to deal for the Santos defence.

For most of the second half the visitors struggled to get around the wall of resistance created by Nyandoro and ‘The Rock’ Kekana in the middle of the park, forcing the Cape side to resort to long balls and attacking via the flanks. That did not work too well either for the visitors because the Sundowns defence took no prisoners on the day.

Nyasha made way for Samuel Julies in the in the 87th minute of the match and by then match was done and dusted, resulting in Sundowns going back on top of the Absa Premiership table on goal difference.

Themba Zwane earned himself the man of the match award, with his work rate and overall contribution to the match.

Starting eleven:

Wayne Sandilands, Walter Maponyane, Clayton Daniels, Siyanda Xulu, Punch Masenamela, Esrom Nyandoro, Themba Zwane, Hlompho Kekana, Lebohang Mokoena (Musa Nyatama), Elias Pelembe (Richard Henyekane), Nyasha Mushekwi (Samuel Julies).

Subs:

Calvin Marlin, Surprise Moriri, Method Mwanjale, Thembinkosi Mdledle, Musa Nyatama, Richard Henyekane, Samuel Julies

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