Sundowns' Title Hopes Up In Smoke

04 May 2011

ABSA Premiership

Date: 4 May 2011
Result: AmaZulu 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Venue: King Zwelitihini Stadium
Referee: Harry Lekiklane

AmaZulu put a spear through Mamelodi Sundowns' title hopes, holding the big-spending Brazilians to a 1-1 draw at Umlazi's King Zwelithini Stadium this evening.

The two sides have had plenty of goals this season and the game immediately settled into an end-to-end pattern. Neither side however were able to apply a finishing touch in the early stages.

Sundowns ace Katlego Mphela missed an opportunity to net his 13th goal of the season with a disappointing freekick in the fifth minute that went well wide.

AmaZulu midfielder Sibusiso Hadebe, returning to the team after missing out on Friday's trip to Ajax Cape Town, threaded through an expert pass for Bongani Mbhele in the 10th minute, but the left winger's touch let him down.

Ayanda Dlamini, who scored the opener against Ajax, had a hopeful shot on goal from 30 yards soon after. 

Usuthu fluffed another opportunity just after the half-hour and Matty Pattison capitalised on the break, delivering a pinpoint cross for Mphela to head home and go level with Knowledge Musona at the top of the goalscoring charts. Atrocious defending by AmaZulu, who allowed 'Killer' in between them. Keeper Mbongeni Mzimela did put in a valiant effort but it was not enough.

Sundowns seemed to go down a gear after their opener and Hadebe took advantage of their lackadaisical attitude on the stroke of half-time, delivering a freekick from the left flank that deflected off Siyanda Xulu's head into the net for an unlikely equaliser.

The home side came out from the interval showing a lot more confidence on the ball with the Usuthu attackers getting into better areas than they did in the first period. Tangeni Shipahu and Hadebe both had good chances early on but couldn't find the target.

Just after the hour mark, Mphela had a real opportunity to get Sundowns back in front but took an age to bring the ball down at the edge of the area and blasted over with two waiting in the middle.

A minute later, Goodman Dlamini forced Brazilians shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands into a neat save with a toe poke from close range.

In the 72nd minute, Mphela showed excellent control to carve out an opening in a congested AmaZulu area but then miscued his shot horribly. It was just Sundowns second shot on target.

AmaZulu looked more likely to score in the latter stages of the half as fatigue seemed to take its toll on a Sundowns side playing their second game in four days. Goodman Dlamini almost snatched all three points when he rocked the crossbar with a fine header in the 81st minute.

Mzimela made a terrific save to deny substitute Franklin Cale in the dying moments but Sundowns seemed to lose hope as their title dreams went up in smoke in Umlazi. AmaZulu have failed to beat Sundowns at home in 17 years now but they will be happy with the point they earned tonight. 

AmaZulu: Mbongeni Mzimela, Tangeni Shipahu (Marc Van Heerden 87'), Carlington Nyadombo, Kasonga Bukasa, Ramson Zhuwawo, Sibusiso Hadebe (Lehlohonolo Majoro 73'), Bongani Mbhele (Gavin Hammers 87'), Goodman Dlamini, Tshweu Mokoro, Ayanda Dlamini, Mxolisi Mayonga

Mamelodi Sundowns: Wayne Sandilands, Eduardo Ferreira, Method Mwanjali, Esrom Nyandoro, Teko Modise (Mabhuti Khenyeza 64'), Elias Pelembe (Lebohang Mokoena 64'), Matthew Pattison, Siyanda Xulu, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Katlego Mphela (Franklin Cale 81'), Nyasha Mushekwi

Goals: Katlego Mphela 32' (Sundowns), Sibusiso Hadebe 44' (AmaZulu)