Brazilians dominate Thanda Royals as Arrows rise to the top

Sundowns (2) 2 Thanda Royal Zulu (0) 0

A rejuvenated Mamelodi Sundowns gave their new coach Henri Michel a very warm welcome with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Thanda Royal Zulu in their Premiership match played at Super stadium yesterday afternoon.

Playing for the first time under the former Morocco and French national team coach and his fitness trainer, Florent Motta, the Brazilians were first to create a scoring chance when Derrick Spencer put a shot over the crossbar from well inside the 18-yard area after only two minutes.

Sundowns sent their loyal fans into a frenzy just five minutes into the game when Dairo Monteiro took advantage of the visitors’ sloppy defence to finish off a move started by Katlego Mphela.

Lerato Chabangu and Katlego Mphela squandered chances in the 12th and 13th minutes.

While Thanda Royals were still trying to recover from having conceded an early goal, Katlego Mphela added salt to their wounds when he scored from a pass supplied by Monteiro in the 15th minute.

Twelve minutes later Monteiro, who was a constant thorn in the away side’s defence, almost made it 3-0 when he headed in a Chabangu cross — but the goal was ruled offside.

Royal Zulu keeper Aubrey Mathibe, who denied Chabangu and Mphela, saved his side the embarrassment of going into the break four goals down.

Royals fought back gallantly in the remaining minutes of the first half, but a resolute Sundowns’ defence saw off the challenge with ease.

In the second half, Sundowns continued where they had left off in the first and it appeared to be plain sailing for club owner Patrice Motsepe’s lads with Thanda Royals constantly on the retreat from the onslaught by the Brazilians.

Sundowns controlled the game, playing with passion.

Man of the match Ezrom Nyandoro underlined his class with a dominant performance in the midfield.

But despite having more chances, Sundowns failed to increase their tally with substitutes Benedict Vilakazi and Lungisani Ndlela being the main culprits.

Speaking through an interpreter in a post-match interview, Michel said the victory was a step in the right direction.

Celtic (1) 1 Santos (0) 0

A single goal from Geofrey Serunkuma in the 22nd minute sealed the first win of the season for Celtic over Santos at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium. The win couldn’t pick the Bloemfontein side off the bottom of the log though.

Maritzburg United (0) 2 Platinum Stars (0) 2

Maritzburg scored in the 90th minute to salvage a draw at home against Platinum Stars. A double from Brice Aka secured a point for the home side but they still lie in 12th place on the standings.

Moroka Swallows (0) 0 Golden Arrows (0) 1

A 72nd-minute Francis Kombe goal gave Arrows three points at Olympia Park and put them on top of the premiership log with 18 points — one point ahead of Wits. Arrows have now scored 14 goals in eight games.

Walter Mabeba

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