Sundowns sag again

Mamelodi Sundowns are still a work in progress, battling to last beyond 45 minutes to get crucial wins in high-tempo matches.

A case in point was yesterday's MTN8 first-leg, semifinal clash with Orlando Pirates, in which Sundowns went into the half-time break leading 2-1 after goals by Katlego Mphela (via a rebound from a missed penalty kick) and a volley from Musa Nyatama.

Thulasizwe Mbuyane had fired Pirates into the lead in the early stages of the match. The striker, who has made a habit of scoring against Sundowns, beat goalie Wayne Sandilands in the sixth minute, with Benni McCarthy doing the hard work in the build-up.

However, Pirates' new signing wasn't effective at any time after that.

The visitors took their foot off the gas in the second half, not testing Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs at all.

The Buccaneers were spurred on by the lacklustre effort by their opponents after half-time, with man of the match Tlou Segolela scoring the second goal and creating the winner for Pirates.

The speedy winger hit a rocket in the 79th minute to put Pirates back on level terms after referee Buyile Gqubule disallowed his 46th-minute goal.

Segolela dribbled past Surprise Moriri in injury time, only to be fouled by the Sundowns player in the box - resulting in the second penalty of the match. Substitute Bongani Ndulula blasted the winner home from the spot.

Sundowns must feel they let themselves and their vocal supporters down.

In the first half, the Pretoria-based team had the majority of the possession and silenced the packed stadium with their creative midfield play. But, just as they did in the quarterfinal stages of this tournament - when they beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 at the Lucas Moripe stadium - they produced a half-hearted effort.

They had loads of chances to score more than just the two away goals, one when Mphela was fed by Mokoena in the box, but hoofed his shot over the bar.

Nyatama and Modise were sizzling in midfield and Moriri did their dirty work as the anchorman.

There was also an ongoing battle between Lucas Thwala, who only returned to top-flight football last week after playing his last official match for Bafana against Mexico at the 2010 World Cup, and Mokoena.

Thwala's lack of match fitness was exposed, but no chances provided from his right flank were put away by Sundowns.

Just a 1-0 victory in the second leg of the Top8 this coming Sunday at the Loftus will be enough for Downs to make it to the final. The nature of the two-legged format gives Sundowns the advantage with their two away goals.

But Pirates are quite capable of going to Pretoria and continuing the defence of their crown.

With Pirates having Siyabonga Sangweni, one of the best central defenders in the country, Mphela could struggle in the second leg.