Mamelodi Sundowns thrashed Kaizer Chiefs 4-0 in the Carling Knockout Cup quarterfinal at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
Here’s a look at five takeaways from the game:
1 – Kaizer Chiefs defence exposed?
Chiefs' defensive line, which had shown promise earlier in the season, was exposed by Sundowns' attacking prowess.
The high press and quick counter-attacks of the Brazilians overwhelmed the Amakhosi defense, leading to several defensive errors.
Struggling to deal with the likes of Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners, Miguel ended receiving two yellow cards, which culminated in a red card.
The newly appointed assistant coach of the Chiefs, Cedric Kaze, has a specialization in defensive strategies and will need to implement substantial improvements in that area.
2 – Chiefs too big for Fiacre Ntwari
The Rwandan goalkeeper came as a trusted man at the beginning of the season.
His first few games didn’t show enough whether he would be a good or bad signing for Amakhosi. However, their second last match against Magesi gave a hint of his weaknesses.
His poor positioning, decision-making, and catching abilities were evident, highlighting a big weakness in the Chiefs lineup.
3 – Chiefs still way too far from from where Nabi wants them
While Chiefs have shown flashes of brilliance this season, the defeat to Sundowns exposed the team's limitations.
Nabi has a significant task ahead to improve the team's overall performance and consistency.
He has said it before that the team needs a lot of fixing having seen the squad he has and the previous performances.
4 – Nabi cannot rely on youngsters
The reliance on young players like Mduduzi Shabalala, Wandile Duba, and Samkelo Zwane, while promising, can be a double-edged sword.
The team needs experienced players to guide and support the youngsters in crucial matches.
5 – Bathusi Aubaas and Teboho Mokoena new pairing
While the majority of fans voted for Iqraam Rayners as Man of the Match winner, some pointed at Bathusi Aubaas as standout performer on the day.
His midfield partnership with Teboho Mokoena was superb. Their ability to control the game and dictate the tempo was crucial to Sundowns' dominance.
