Thabo Johnson
Thabo Johnson
Mamelodi Sundowns started the new season positively by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in a one-sided Absa Premiership match at Free State Stadium yesterday.
The Brazilians' deadly striker, Surprise Moriri, scored the only goal of the match with the game only six minutes old.
Moriri, who is once more proving to be Downs' saviour, beat Celtic goalkeeper Shuaib Walters with a fine header after connecting with Siboniso Gaxa's cross.
The goal came a minute after Walters had denied the dangerous Benedict Vilakazi a scoring opportunity.
Sundowns continued to raid Celtic's goal area in search of more goals. They came close when Manqoba Ngwenya fired narrowly wide in the 20th minute with Walters badly positioned. The visitors dominated the proceedings as Phunya Sele Sele battled desperately to settle down and find the equaliser.
Just before the interval, Ngwenya and Mbulelo Mabizela each missed a chance to increase the lead with the keeper nowhere near the goal line. Ngwenya's effort rebounded off Celtic defender Cyrille Mubiela, while Mabizela's attempt hit the crossbar.
The second half saw Downs playing neat interchanges but they could not find the target as they were denied by Walters.
The Celtic goalie made a great save to deny Fanyana Dhladhla in the 57th minute.
l In Durban, Platinum Stars also did well in their opening match when they beat AmaZulu 1-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium yesterday.
Columbian Luis Robinson Renteria Cuesta scored the only goal of the game after a pass from Hareaipha "Simba" Marumo in the 20th minute.
But Stars also owe a huge debt to goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, who made two superb saves in the sixth and 39th minutes from Marc van Heerden and Sanele Majola.
Coach Michel Gamondi of Stars and Clive Barker of Usuthu brought on a raft of substitutes in the second half but they failed to change the complexion of the game.
no surprise!
Thabo Johnson
Thabo Johnson
Mamelodi Sundowns started the new season positively by beating Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in a one-sided Absa Premiership match at Free State Stadium yesterday.
The Brazilians' deadly striker, Surprise Moriri, scored the only goal of the match with the game only six minutes old.
Moriri, who is once more proving to be Downs' saviour, beat Celtic goalkeeper Shuaib Walters with a fine header after connecting with Siboniso Gaxa's cross.
The goal came a minute after Walters had denied the dangerous Benedict Vilakazi a scoring opportunity.
Sundowns continued to raid Celtic's goal area in search of more goals. They came close when Manqoba Ngwenya fired narrowly wide in the 20th minute with Walters badly positioned. The visitors dominated the proceedings as Phunya Sele Sele battled desperately to settle down and find the equaliser.
Just before the interval, Ngwenya and Mbulelo Mabizela each missed a chance to increase the lead with the keeper nowhere near the goal line. Ngwenya's effort rebounded off Celtic defender Cyrille Mubiela, while Mabizela's attempt hit the crossbar.
The second half saw Downs playing neat interchanges but they could not find the target as they were denied by Walters.
The Celtic goalie made a great save to deny Fanyana Dhladhla in the 57th minute.
l In Durban, Platinum Stars also did well in their opening match when they beat AmaZulu 1-0 at Princess Magogo Stadium yesterday.
Columbian Luis Robinson Renteria Cuesta scored the only goal of the game after a pass from Hareaipha "Simba" Marumo in the 20th minute.
But Stars also owe a huge debt to goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, who made two superb saves in the sixth and 39th minutes from Marc van Heerden and Sanele Majola.
Coach Michel Gamondi of Stars and Clive Barker of Usuthu brought on a raft of substitutes in the second half but they failed to change the complexion of the game.
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