Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was the hero when he saved two penalties for the side as they beat Young Africans 3-2 on Friday night. The CAF Champions League second-leg quarter-final match was staged at Loftus Versfeld Stadium as it ended goalless after 90 minutes.
Sundowns vs Yanga Match Decided On Penalties:
Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams saved two penalties and Marcelo Allende scored, Neo Mema as well as Lucas Ribeiro converted for Sundowns against Yanga while Gaston Sirino missed his spot kick. It ended in favour of the 2016 African champions to reach the semi-finals.
Sundowns vs Yanga Line-Ups:
Fresh from a 1-0 win over Richards Bay in their midweek DStv Premiership match, Sundowns boss Rulani Mokwena made changes in his line-up. The changes saw skipper Themba Zwane making his return after missing the first leg last weekend.
Sundowns vs Yanga Mudau Effect:
From the early minutes, Sundowns dominated the proceedings at a fully packed Loftus Versfeld Stadium where Khuliso Mudau was a livewire. The Bafana Bafana international was fouled down the right flank as he outpaced the Yanga defence, but the VAR didn’t rule in favour of Sundowns who were hoping for a red card for Joyce Lomalisa.
A few minutes later, defender Divine Lunga was brought down in the penalty area, Masandawana also cried for a penalty but their call fell on deaf ears. Despite enjoying total dominance of ball possession, Sundowns failed to create clear-cut chances and ended goalless at the interval.
VAR Decision: Sundowns vs Yanga
Yanga started the second as the better side and saw what looked like a goal by Aziz Ki was disallowed through VAR much to the relief of Masandawana fans. A few moments later, Mokwena subbed his skipper, Zwane for Thapelo Maseko.
The encounter proved to be a thriller as Sundowns looked tired, and they were disjointed but it was Teboho Mokoena who came close with a thunderous bolt, but it went narrowly wide.
Sundowns vs Yanga Coach On The Fans:
“It’s very important to kill off the game early, that’s why in my post-match interview last week I spoke to the supporters,” Mokwena said ahead of the game.
“Tomorrow they have to play and I ask them to play the way they played against Al Ahly in the AFL, we won the game because of our fans, there were no moments where they were quiet in the 90 minutes. They have to energise us, push us, and give us that extra push and sometimes that’s where we have it with the Sundowns fans, when we suffer they suffer, they can’t suffer with us tomorrow – they have to come and energise us and push us.”
“That drum kept beating and beating and beating and I honestly believe that tomorrow, if they come up in their numbers, fill the stadium, and make it yellow, they make the opposition uncomfortable throughout and even in suffering moments, they can’t suffer with us. Home ground needs to be taken advantage of, that’s not just playing surface or the comfort of being at home is actually about the supporters making the stadium a cathedral, a place of worship and tomorrow they have to worship the team.”
RELATED: Sundowns: Mokwena Urges The Fans To Bring The Drum
In a related piece, this publication reported that Sundowns coach, Mokwena explained why the Masandawana fans play a vital role as they are expected to bring a hostile atmosphere to Yanga. At the same time, he says it was important to kill the game in Tanzania but he is hopeful they can reach the next stage.
