It
all started in week 21; Mamelodi Sundowns were the log leaders by 2 points
followed by a hot Kaizer Chiefs behind them. Teko Modise and mates needed to
travel to Bloemfontein in an away game that would have seen them stretch the
lead. Sundowns when back home with only a point after a hopeless displayed that
saw the game ended in 0-0 draw.
Lebohang
Mokoena and Elias Pelembe replaced Anthony Laffor and Katlego Mphela in a
strategy that should have been a game changer. However, the damage was already
made with Surprise Moriri and Teko Modise failing to create space behind Mulomowandau
Mathoho and Erick Mathoho.
Hlompho
Kekana was solid in the game protecting the back 4. With Nayasha Mushekwi not
available, Sundowns looked toothless. Kideo and Mushekwi made it very hard for Sundowns
to play a 4-3-3, they were forced in a very uncomfortable 4-1-3-2 formation
that made them look lost than adventurous.
Fortunately,
that week, Chiefs played a draw too against Arrows and Sundowns went to week 22
with the same lead margin. However, the bigger damage was made on a game that
supposedly to be a formality of 3 points in the bag, Sundowns lost it against Platinum
Stars 2-1 on week 25, only 5 games to go.
With
a line included Mushekwi, center, Mokoena and Pelembe wide, Teko and Moriri
deep behind supported by Nyandoro, nobody would have imagine that Sundowns will
go down at home. Yes, by then, everybody knew that Sundowns do not close the
deal at home well. It was a disaster. A disaster that saw the Orlando Pirates take
the top position on the log with 1 point advantage.
The
mother of all the damages was on week 28, Sundowns needed nothing less than a
win against Amakhosi in Johannesburg, with a good away record from home, Sundowns
went to FNB Stadium with confidence, no injury worries, semi finalist. All was
in order and ready for a battle of their live. The opposition by the way just
lost 4 games in a row - low morale Chiefs arrived in FNB with one mission only,
‘not to lose’ five times in a row.
But,
I was surprised when I got the starting 11 of Sundowns and I said, “the coach
must know something that I don’t know. Having left out Mphela, Modise, Pelembe
and Laffor, one would like to believe that, the Sundowns team on the pitch
wasn’t a solid side.
Sundowns
started with a strange formation with Mushekwi center, Mokoena and Moriri wide,
(Themba) Zwane behind the striker supported by Kekana and (Musa) Nyatama. Out
left Punch
(Masenamela), right (Walter) Maponyane with (Siyanda) Xulu and (Clayton)
Daniels forming the center for (Wayne) Sandilands.
For
the whole 45 min of the half, Sundowns created only 2 small scoring chances
coming from the left boot of Punch. Sundowns looked lost and nervous in from of
small crown that came to witness record making by any Chiefs side in a history
to lose 5. It was a sad affair for Sundowns bench. By the time, all the star
players were introduced; Chiefs had the up hand and were leading by 2
well-deserved goals.
It
was another sorry performance by Sundowns’ players and technical team. It was a
mother of all the mess up hence becoming the “most expensive mess” for the
season. By the time referee blew the whistle, Sundowns were not only losing the
ground on the log leaders but got over taken by Moroka Swallows in the second
position.
The
damage was done. A season that promised so much by the time we went to the 2012
Africa Cup of Nations break in January turned out to be another wasted
opportunity for Patrice Motsepe (Billionaire mining magnate) and Teko Modise.
By Christopher L
Bongo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Football101WithCBongo
Email: clbongo@gmail.com
