Pitso is happy at last

01 September 2014 - 02:01 By Mazola Molefe at Loftus
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ON THE CARDS: Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane at the game against Orlando Pirates at Loftus
ON THE CARDS: Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane at the game against Orlando Pirates at Loftus

A second successive defeat at home would have rubbed the Mamelodi Sundowns fans up the wrong way, so the Brazilians bounced back with a stylish win here yesterday to beat a struggling AmaZulu side 2-0.

It wasn't pretty from Pitso Mosimane's men in the first half but a much improved performance after the break made it look easy for Downs.

There were not a lot of brilliant individual performances, but striker Cuthbert Malajila stood out and paid back the coach for giving him his first start of the season with two goals that reflected his prowess as a fox-in-the-box. But credit should be given to his teammates too, who set him up with champagne passes.

The build-up to both goals showed just what the Absa Premiership league champions can do when things fall into place. Tebogo Langerman, who had not been the fans' favourite until the hour mark, found space in the left wing where he was operating to send through a timely pass for Malajila to look like the goal poacher he is.

Almost from a similar position, captain for the day Surprise Moriri delivered what could be the assist of the season for Malajila.

That pass, which saw Moriri use the outside of his boot to send a pinpoint pass for Malajila to connect with for his second goal will be spoken about for days. Pure class.

Yesterday afternoon's encounter was definitely turned around by the probable rollicking Mosimane gave his men at halftime as he urged them to return to winning ways following a humiliating 3-0 loss to Orlando Pirates at this venue four days earlier.

Sundowns had continued their slow start to the season, sitting on four points from the same number of league games - and Mosimane was not amused. He again rang the changes, one forced by the absence of skipper and defender Alje Schut. But you would have put money on Downs beating Usuthu here.

With AmaZulu coach Craig Rosslee yet to win a match this season, Sundowns also carried a lot of confidence, having scored nine goals in two league games against AmaZulu last season.

It could also have been a romp here had Downs taken their chances - Malajila squandering an opportunity to grab his hat-trick, Moriri seeing his first-half header cleared off the line and substitute Ejike Uzoenyi coming close later on.

Free kick and long range specialist Hlompho Kekana also forced an incredible save from keeper Tapuwa Kapini some seven minutes before he was finally beaten by Malajila. Usuthu remain rooted to the bottom of the table after five games now and it was clear for all to see why - they had just a single shot on target the entire game.

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