Defending Premier Soccer League champions Mamelodi Sundowns started their season on Sunday with a 4-0 win over Richards Bay in the MTN8 quarter-final.
The Brazilians dominated from the first to the final whistle, stringing passes from the back all the way to the final third. They ended up getting a deserved win to set a semi-final berth, where they will play holders Orlando Pirates, who beat Polokwane City 2-0 in the initial phase on Saturday afternoon.
Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch will meet in the other semi-final with the winner guaranteed to play either Masandawana or Bucs in the final.
Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye has now analysed how Miguel Cardoso's team played, before sounding an early warning to the other Premier Soccer League teams. He believes a hiding is on the way.
‘We need to complement Cardoso when he has done well'
“Sundowns, the way they play, and let’s talk about [Sunday's] game, it was like a training session. I think they had 300 and something passes, and for how many seasons have they been doing that. Well done to Sundowns for the way they played, moving the ball around, very fluid. I’m being honest, the way they score, I mean, their first goal looked easy. I think Richards Bay defended poorly,” he told iDiski TV.
“The second goal as well, a good pass, a long pass at the back, on the side and then [Teboho]Mokoena took a run, and [Iqraam] Rayners passed it through from deep in the midfield between a defender and goalkeeper, and it was an own goal. Sundowns looked completely different. Richards Bay came to this game to not concede more goals because they didn’t have a plan to score.
“I’m telling you someone is going to concede nine or 10 goals from this team. Someone is going to be very humbled and get 10 goals. Someone is going to sweat; write that down. And we need to compliment [Miguel] Cardoso when he has done well. His team is professional.
“If he scores two, his team must be professional and score three and four, and I love that,” Khanye concluded.
The next assignment for Masandawana will be on Saturday against Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League.
