Black Leopards 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns: Mosimane’s men tame Leopards

Black Leopards 1-2 Mamelodi Sundowns: Mosimane’s men tame Leopards

Themba Zwane opened the scoring for Mamelodi Sundowns after receiving a pass from Jose Ali Meza in the 27th minute. 

Ali Meza was again instrumental as the Brazilians doubled their lead, this time, courtesy of a Chris Katjiukua own goal on the stroke of half-time. 

Mwape Musonda, on his first start of the campaign, then got a consolation goal for Lidoda Duvha on the hour-mark. 

Pitso Mosimane made several changes to the team that ran riot against Cote d’Or in the Caf Champions League as he brought some of his star players back, including Denis Onyango and Hlompho Kekana. 

Andile Jali kept his place in the team while Sibusiso Vilakazi had to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring a hat-trick in the previous match. 

Luc Eymael started with former Sundowns midfielder Thuso Phala while Mogakolodi Ngele and Thabo Matlaba didn’t even make the squad. 

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Andriamirado Andrianarimanana also got a start in midfield as Eymael looked to end Sundowns’ dominance over Leopards. 

Prior to this encounter, both sides had met 15 times with Sundowns recording 12 wins to Leopards’ just three. 

Sundowns started the first-half on the front foot and pinned Leopards back in front of their home fans. 

It took 27 minutes for the Brazilians to open the scoring through Zwane, who fired past Jonas Mendes from close range. 

Mosimane’s charges controlled the match while Leopards soaked up the pressure for the better part of the first 45 minutes.

Leopards were unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down just before the break as Katjiukua beat his own goalkeeper, much to the delight of a decent Sundowns crowd out in the stands. 

At this stage, Eymael knew he had a mountain to climb going into the second-half and the Belgian mentor needed to come up with a better game plan after the break. 

His half-time talk worked got the players fired up and this was evident as Leopards took control of the game. 

However, Leopards often lost possession cheaply in the final third, allowing Sundowns to build from the back and use their wingers to try and penetrate the back four.

Leopards’ relentless pressure on Sundowns eventually paid off in the 60th minute when Musonda pulled one back. 

The home side began to play with more intent going forward and attacked through the middle but they were often let down by their final pass as Sundowns defended well to hold on to their lead.  

Phala had a chance to level matters in the closing stages of the encounter after Onyango had parried the ball onto his path – but the speedy winger fluffed his effort wide of the target.

Ultimately, Sundowns held on to their lead to register their fourth win of the campaign and move to 15 points on the PSL standings.     

Mosimane’s men are still in the running for Q1-Innovation honours alongside Bidvest Wits and Chiefs.