Chiefs v Sundowns player ratings: Brazilians dominated Amakhosi in cup clash

Played in front of a packed and deafening FNB Stadium, Mamelodi Sundowns produced possibly their best performance of the season to thrash Kaizer Chiefs and book a place in the semifinal against Marumo Gallants.

Sundowns secured their impressive victory through a brace of goals by Iqraam Raymers and one each from Lucas Ribeiro and Khuliso Mudau. 

TimesLIVE Premium rates the players who took part in the exciting clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday. 

Kaizer Chiefs:

Fiacre Ntwari — 4 

He fetched the ball into the back of the net four times, largely not because of his mistakes, but he was not impressive with his distribution and how he commanded his area. 

Reeve Frosler — 4 

He was terrorised by Aubrey Modiba for the better part of the match and was ridiculed for slipping and falling alone with the ball, denying Chiefs room to create an opportunity.

Inácio Miguel — 5 

He was under constant pressure from Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shalulile and pressure told in the second half when he went for an early shower for a second yellow card after 54 minutes. 

Rushwin Dortley — 6 

He is another player who was under pressure from the relentless threats of Lucas Ribeiro, Iqraam Rayners and Peter Shalulile but continues to establish himself as a key part of the Chiefs defence. 

Bradley Cross — 5 

Started the game well but faded when Sundowns began to impose themselves and he struggled to deal with the threats of overlapping Khuliso Mudau and Marcelo Allende, who is comfortable on the ball. 

Samkelo Zwane — 4 

He was at fault for Sundowns’ opening game as Njabulo Blom conceded a penalty covering for him after he lost the ball at a dangerous area, but coach Nasreddine Nabi defended him, saying he will learn from the experience. 

Njabulo Blom — 4 

He committed the foul on Lucas Ribeiro after 14 minutes to leave referee Luxolo Badi with no choice to point to the spot and Iqraam Rayners gave Mamelodi Sundowns the lead. 

Mduduzi Shabalala — 5 

The crowd favourite had his moments in the game but it was always going to be difficult to fully impose himself against experienced players like Teboho Mokoena, Marcelo Allende and Bathusi Aubaas. 

Gaston Sirino — 5 

For a player of his experience and vast knowledge about the inner workings at Sundowns, Gaston Sirino could have done better but he was pedestrian and didn’t do much to influence the game. 

Wandile Duba — 5 

Another player who had his moments in the game but he was up against the rock solid Sundowns defence that was marshalled by Bafana Bafana defenders Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala. 

Ranga Chivaviro — 4 

He hardly threatened Ronwen Williams or central defenders Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala and it is no surprise that he ended his shift empty-handed. It remains to be seen how long Nabi is going to persist with him. 

Substitutes 

Dillan Solomons — 4 

Came on for Frosler at the beginning of the second half but didn’t make any meaningful contribution. 

Mfundo Vilakazi — 4 

Nabi continued to shake things up with Vilakazi replacing ineffective Duba but he could not influence the game into their favour. 

Yusuf Maart — 3 

Came on for Zwane to stabilise the midfield dominated by Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas and Marcelo Allende but it was not his day. 

Thatayaone Ditlhokwe — 3 

He was introduced for Sirino to bolster the defence but Sundowns scored their fourth goal through Khuliso Mudau shortly after his arrival on the pitch. 

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo — 3

He came on for Blom after the hour mark but he could not influence this match that was already in the bag for Sundowns. 

SUNDOWNS

Ronwen Williams — 8 

He kept a clean and he was solid all-round with the way he dealt with crosses, one on one situations, shot-stopping and organising his area. 

Grant Kekana — 7 

One of the underrated defenders in the league, he had another solid showing in heart of the Sundowns central defence where he nullified the threat posed by Ranga Chivaviro. 

Mothobi Mvala — 7 

He doesn’t show any signs that he recently returned to action after a long injury layoff. ‘Lord Mvala’ was solid throughout the match alongside Kekana. 

Aubrey Modiba — 6 

He was somewhat off the boil during the first few matches of the season but he has regained his best form and was a constant threat to Frosler and substitute Solomons. 

Khuliso Mudau — 8 

Imperious at the back and with his surging runs forward but his most notable contribution was his well-taken goal on the hour mark that put the match beyond doubt. 

Bathusi Aubaas — 7 

Chances are few and far between for him but he grabs his chance whenever it presents itself and it was the case against Chiefs, where he was instrumental in the midfield with Teboho Mokoena. 

Teboho Mokoena — 8 

He is back in favour after fallout with the coach Manqona Mngqithi and he did his defensive duties in central midfield, where he was up against Njabulo Blom and Samkelo Zwane. 

Marcelo Allende — 8 

They refer to Allende when they talk about dynamites that comes in small packages. He dictated terms in the heart of the midfield, where he overpowered Blom and Zwane.

Lucas Ribeiro — 8 

Another key attacking player for the Brazilians, he won the penalty that opened the floodgates and also got one goal in what was a near-flawless performance by the Brazilian. 

Iqraam Rayners — 9 

Deserved man-of-the-match performance, he showed nerves of steel to stand up and take the penalty early in the game and ended his shift with a brace as his explosive start to life at Chloorkop continued. 

Peter Shalulile — 7 

His revival continues as he found the net to add to the brace that he scored in the win over Cape Town City in the league last week. 

Substitutes 

Kutlwano Letlhaku — 5 

Came with 20 minutes remaining on the clock to replace two-goal hero Rayners and he had some good touches in what would have been a good experience for the teenager. 

Thapelo Maseko — 5 

Came on to replace Ribeiro but he didn’t have much to do because this match was already in the bag. 

Arthur Sales, Neo Maema and Malibongwe Khoza were not on the pitch long enough to be rated.