Mphela Inspires Downs In Thriller

30 November 2011

ABSA Premiership

Date: 30 November 2011

Result: Santos 2-5 Mamelodi Sundowns

Venue: Athlone Stadium

Referee: Harry Lekitlane

Mamelodi Sundowns ensured that they kept the pressure on SuperSport United when they ran out a 5-2 win over Santos at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Brazilians dominated the early stages of the match and they got their reward just 12 minutes in when a sweeping move culminated with Richard Henyekane curling a cross in for Nyasha Mushekwi to glance into the bottom corner.

The visitors continued to dominate proceedings and it would take them just 12 more minutes to double their advantage. Pere Ariweriya jumped into the back of Mushekwi on the edge of the area and Teko Modise curled the resulting free-kick over the wall and past the goalkeeper.

Sundowns easily held onto their lead for the rest of the half but the People's Team were not ready to call it a night and came out with more purpose after the break.

They piled on the pressure and it paid off just six minutes in when Tawonga Chimodzi sent a dangerous cross into the area and Eleazar Rodgers pulled a goal back with a decent header.

The goal gave the home side a lift and they continued to search for the equaliser. It would arrive in the 66th minute when Vuyisile Wana produced a marvellous lob into the top corner.

Sundowns were shocked but they responded well and eventually regained some control. Katlego Mphela would then provide the chance they were looking for when he found Themba Zwane who fired home to restore their lead.

Mphela then secured the result six minutes later when he fired in from close range, but the striker was not quite done and wrapped up his brace in the 87th minute with an accurate strike into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot.

The result takes Sundowns within touching distance of SuperSport United.

Santos: Tshepo Motsoeneng, Pere Ariweriyai, Cheslyn Jampies, Bongi Macala, Zairon van Beulen, Graham King, Erwin Isaacs (Bheki Shabangu 84), Phikolomzi Kefile (Vuyisile Wana 45), Tawonga Chimodzi (Shafeeq Arendse 74), Tyren Arendse, Eleazar Rodgers.

Sundowns: Wayne Sandilands, Siyanda Xulu, Clayton Daniels, Punch Masenamela, Hlompo Kekana, Themba Zwane, Siyabonga, Ngubane, Elias Pelembe (Lebohang Mokoena 88), Tsholofelo Modise (Method Mwanjali 81), Nyasha Mushekwi, Richard Henyekane (Katlego Mphela 57).

Goals: Nyasha Mushekwi (Sundowns 13), Teko Modise (Sundowns 25), Eleazar Rodgers (Santos 51), Vuyisile Wana (Santos 66), (Themba Zwane (Sundowns 74), Katlego Mphela (81, 88).