Sundowns Hold Off Wits To Go Top

13 September 2011

ABSA Premiership

Date: 13 September 2011

Result: Wits 2-3 Mamelodi Sundowns

Venue: Mbombela Stadium

Referee: Robert Sithole

Mamelodi Sundowns withstood a spirited second-half Wits fightback to shade the Clever Boys in a five-goal thriller and go top of the table in a Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium this evening. 

The Clever Boys were the first to shake off the cobwebs of a sedate start when Sundowns old boy Mbulelo Mabizela saw his free header sail into the stands from a corner in the fifth minute. 

Sundowns were soon on the attack through Teko Modise, who played through Mabhudi Khenyeza with a delightful ball in the tenth minute. The mercurial hitman wasted little time in letting fly with a powerful drive that Wits keeper Energy Murambadoro just about managed to palm over the crossbar.

Surprise Moriri has enjoyed a new lease of life as a holding midfielder under Johan Neeskens but the former PSL Player of the Year's offensive skills saw him unlock the defence from the corner, rising above Mabizela and Murambodoro to head Sundowns into the lead in the 12th minute.

Wits skipper Sifiso Myeni and striker Bradley Ritson had half-chances but Sundowns' midfield generals began to assert themselves and the possession statistics began to shift in Sundowns' favour.

Another Sundowns goal was to come from a header in the 25th minute, this time from the pip of Katlego Mphela. 'Killer' applied a deft touch to Bafana colleague Modise's exquisite cross with Derrick Spencer guilty of ball-watching.

Mphela got his brace four minutes later as Sundowns began to run riot. He caught the Wits defence flat-footing, ghosting in-between the centre-backs with an impeccable first touch and finishing past Murambadoro for his fifth of the season.

The blow took the wind out of the Students as the Johannesburg outfit struggled to string passes together and provide decent service to their starved frontman. Sundowns on the other hand were putting on a masterclass in precision football.

The introduction of veteran Stanton Fredericks galvanised Wits and they had two early chances to get a goal back after the break with Sifiso Myeni also prominent. The Wits skipper's heavy first touch saw Downs gloveman Wayne Sandilands smother the danger in a one-one situation and then Fredericks forced Sandilands into a smart save a minute later.

Wits continued their onslaught through Spencer, who sought to make amends for his costly defensive error with a header that went high and wide. The momentum was all with the Students at this stage and they eventually got the goal they were threatening through Mabizela, who rose majestically to get on the scoresheet against his former employers 18 minutes into the second stanza.

It looked like Jayiya had won his side a penalty when Punch Masenamela barged him out the way but Robert Sithole infuriated the Wits bench by waving play on. It didn't matter too much as a resurgent Wits got their second three minutes later through Subisiso Vilakazi got his second goal in as many matches, turning in an inviting cross at Sandilands near post.  

Mabizela almost completed a memorable double with a fierce dipping shot that pulled out the best in Sandilands five minutes from time. The Clever Boys threw the kitchen sink at their more fancied opponents but sadly, they could not find that elusive third goal. 

Wits: Murambadoro, Phungwayo, Gumede, Myeni, Spencer, Mabizela, Jayiya, Vilakazi (Chapman 77'), Timm, Rodrigues (Fredericks 45'), Ritson (Sifiso Vilakazi 45')

Mamelodi Sundowns: Sandilands, Mphahlele, Mdledle, Xulu, Masenamela, Kekana (Okpako 60'), Modise, Moriri, Mokoena, Khenyeza (Cale 67'), Mphela (Nyatama 82')

Goals: Surprise Moriri 12', Katlego Mphela 24', 29' (Sundowns), Mbulelo Mabizela 64', Sibusiso Vilakazi 70' (Wits)