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Mamelodi Sundowns have walked away with all points on offer against Amazulu FC following a 2-0 featon Tuesday night at Loftus Versfeld. It was Iqraam Rayners and Tashreeq Matthews’ heroics that helped the Pretoria-based side walk away with a victory.
Masandawana started with a high press, but their visitors made it hard for them to play in the middle of the park by denying them space. After a while, they were able to find space and started moving the ball to the final third.
Usuthu almost broke the deadlock just inside twenty minutes, but even with RonwenWilliams’ run to come outside for the ball, the finish was poor, and the ball went wide. They also had another opportunity from a ball that came from range into the area. A tap-in was made, but it slightly missed the target as it rolled past the post.
From a corner kick, Marcelo Allende had received the ball in the area and flicked it to the back post with his head, but there was no one to finish. In the closing minutes of the opening half, KutlwanoLetlhaku made an interception and saw an opportunity to strike with acres of space in front of him. His powerful effort, however, sailed over the top. With no opportunities converted by either side, they went to the interval goalless.
The second stanza kicked off with the hosts fighting to break the deadlock, and the breakthrough finally came in the 54th minute through Iqraam Rayner’s excellent finish. The goal came from a beautiful build-up between Arthur Sales, TashreeqMatthews – who came in from the bench – and Rayners. Sales chipped the ball to Matthews, who delivered it to a ready Rayners.
Aubrey Modiba also looked to help the team double their advantage as he tried to deliver the ball to Rayners from the left flank, but the goalkeeper caught it. The visitors tried to respond, but the Downs rearguard was too tight for them to go past. The rearguard was tested again with an excellent transitional play. Williams came out, but the ball went past him, and he was lucky it missed the target by a few inches.
Bafana Ba Style were still desperate for more goals, and an attempt came in the 76th minute from Sales, whose shot was smacked away by the keeper. Rayners found the rebound, but it amounted to nothing as it hit the side of the net.
In added time, Masandawana doubled their advantage through Matthews. Sales handed the ball to Matthews, who slotted the ball into the net to conclude the game.
How we lined up: Williams, Mdunyelwa, Cupido, Kekana, Lunga, Mokoena, Allende, Zwane ©, Letlhaku, Rayners, Sales.
Subs: Onyango, Lebusa, Basadien, Modiba, Adams, Mkhulise, Mabena, Matthews, Shalulile.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.