WeeklySA_Admin
ADVANTAGE PYRAMIDS: A LACKLUSTRE SUNDOWNS FAIL TO IGNITE AS THEY ARE HELD TO A DISAPPOINTING 1-ALL DRAW AT HOME
By Ali Mphaki
Mamelodi Sundowns have all to play for when they next meet Pyramids FC in the second leg of the CAF Champions league final in Cairo on Sunday after their disappointing 1-all draw at the Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on Saturday.
Packed to the rafters with their home-based canary yellow clad nation of supporters, Sundowns failed to dominate the match adopting a more-cautions approach which ultimately led to their undoing suffering a stunning last-minute equalizing goal from the visitors.
If anything, Sundowns have only themselves to blame having taking the lead in the 54th minute via the lethal boot of sensational striker Lucas Ribeiro following a one-on-one move in the Pyramids box his left shot hitting the far-right side of the net with the goalkeeper stranded.
Despite taking the lead, even if one is tempted to say against the run-of-play, Sundowns never dominated play and sorely missing was the fluidity of the passing game their reputed for. Their characteristic building from the back only proved fruitless and precarious, their passes intercepted by the-ever alert Pyramid strikers forcing the defenders to be on the back foot as they continued to live dangerously.
Instead of adding some piano to what was an ineffectively lame midfield ensemble, and what with the discerning fans calling for the introduction of the game changer midfield maestro Themba Zwane, his exclusion a living testament that games are lost or won in the middle of the park.
The forced change of Jayden Adams in the 37th minute also a factor in play.
Could also be the impact of the away rule, especially in first legs, dissuades home teams from attacking because they fear conceding a goal that would give their opponents a crucial advantage
True, there were glimpses of shine, but less piano.
Its also become obvious that striker Peter Shalulile is no longer the flavour of the moment in coach Carlos Miguel’s new reign at Sundowns, the Namibian striker lately reduced to a bench warmer coming in the 78th minute.
Ttruth be told, his preferred replacement the lanky Arthur Sales on the day gave a dwarfish performance until his late substitution.
Sundowns should have wrapped up the game as winners, but now have to contend with the fact that their opponents have a crucial advantage going to Cairo.
Like their namesake, Pyramids are a masterpiece of technical skill and engineering ability, and its going to take a little bit more of the shoeshine and piano for ‘Downs to demolish the ancient masonry structures built as tombs for the pharaohs and their consorts.
As the pretenders, Pyramids have flipped the script to become serious contenders.
The funereal air in the Sundowns changing room said it all.
