Both goalkeepers shone for their teams, while Gaston Sirino, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Daniel Cardoso struggled as Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs played out to a 1-1 draw in the opening clash of the 2018-19 Absa Premiership season, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
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Mamelodi Sundowns:
Denis Onyango: 8/10
The Downs keeper was in sublime form throughout the encounter as he dominated his box, and also produced many quality saves in order to ensure his team earned a point.
Anele Ngcongca: 6/10
The right back was defensively sound and offered an attacking outlet down the flanks.
Wayne Arendse: 5/10
The veteran defender was caught out by the Chiefs attack on numerous occasions with Billiat’s pace in particular proving difficult to handle.
Ricardo Nascimento: 7/10
The South American was assured as always as he marshalled the Sundowns defence from start to finish. Nascimento also kept his cool from the penalty spot to score the first-half equaliser, which earned his team a point.
Lyle Lakay: 7/10
The new signing from Cape Town City has been converted to a defender by Pitso Mosimane and he shone in that role against Chiefs. Lakay was a constant threat going forward while also looking solid in defence.
Themba Zwane: 6/10
Mshishi kept things simple throughout the encounter as he looked to link the play for Sundowns.
Oupa Manyisa: 6/10
The former Orlando Pirates man was calm and composed in possession throughout the game as he looked to control the pace of a frenetic game.
Hlompho Kekana: 7/10
Kekana produced the type of quality performance that Sundowns fans have become so accustomed to seeing. The tough-tackling midfielder was seemingly everywhere as he looked to break down any attacking threat posed by Chiefs, while also looking to start off his own side’s attack with his trademark pinpoint long balls.
Gaston Sirino: 5/10
The Uruguayan may have starred in the Caf Champions League last week, but found it tough going against the Soweto giants. Sirino gave the ball away, which led to Chiefs’ opening goal, and struggled to have any impact on attack.
Sibusiso Vilakazi: 5/10
The former Bidvest Wits man was marked out of the game by the Amakhosi defence as he battled to make a significant impact.
Jeremy Brockie: 7/10
The New Zealander was the focal point for Downs as he battled and ran tirelessly throughout the game and was unlucky not to have got a goal for his effort.
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Kaizer Chiefs:
Itumeleng Khune: 8/10
The Bafana Bafana No 1 was in imperious form as he made a couple of top-class saves to deny Brockie and co, and earn his team a point.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele: 8/10
The former Sundowns defender was one of the stars of the show for Chiefs on the day. Rama defended well and also got forward to great effect as he won the ball high up the field and punished his former team with a clinical strike.
Erick Mathoho: 6/10
The defender showed his class as he managed to help keep a dangerous Downs attack quiet.
Daniel Cardoso: 6/10
The former Free State Stars man gave away the penalty for Masandawana’s equaliser but managed to gather himself to make some important defensive blocks and interceptions in order to guide his team to a point.
Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya: 6/10
The young defender was thought to be Chiefs’ weak point, but he rose above the doubters to put in a performance beyond his years.
Willard Katsande: 6/10
The hardman was his combative self as he looked to break down play throughout the encounter. Katsande proved critical in his defensive duties as he allowed the rest of the midfield to contribute offensively.
Siphelele Ntshangase: 8/10
The young midfielder produced arguably his best ever performance in a Chiefs jersey against Downs. Ntshangase was the link-man for Chiefs as he looked to create opportunities and dominate possession through his pinpoint passing and deft movement.
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Siphiwe Tshabalala: 6/10
The veteran midfielder was on the peripheral for large parts of the encounter but did manage to link up well with his fellow attackers on a few occasions.
Khama Billiat: 7/10
The former Sundowns man has a point to prove against his former employers. Billiat’s pace and trickery proved difficult to deal with on the day as he picked up the Man of the Match award.
Bernard Parker: 5/10
The striker struggled to make an impact of any sort as he was marked out of the game by the Downs defence.
Leonardo Castro: 6/10
The South American worked his socks off as he looked to force an opening, but when his big chance arrived, he chipped the ball wide of Onyango’s goal.
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
