Sundowns’ Second-Half Surge Sinks SuperSport

Mamelodi Sundowns’ second-half substitutions proved to be a game-changer as they defeated SuperSport United 2-0 in their opening match of the 2024/25 season at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday.
Iqraam Rayners and Ribeiro Costa were the heroes, scoring the decisive goals after a frustrating first half.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with little goalmouth action. Costa tested SuperSport goalkeeper Ricardo Goss with a powerful shot in the 28th minute, in what was the only chance of note, but SuperSport’s defensive organization made it difficult for Sundowns to create clear-cut chances.
Lebohang Maboe, who started in place of Teboho Mokoena, struggled to make an impact and was substituted in that 60th minute, with those changes swinging the game in Sundowns’ favor. The game remained goalless at the break.
The turning point came in the second half when Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi introduced Aubrey Modiba, Themba Zwane, and Tashreeq Matthews. Zwane’s immediate impact was evident as he backheeled a pass to Rayners, who finished with aplomb.
Three minutes later, Matthews assisted Costa, who chipped the ball over Goss to double Sundowns’ lead. SuperSport’s defensive errors contributed to their downfall, and they were unable to mount a significant comeback.
Costa should have scored a brace moments later as he rounded off Goss but SuperSport defender Thulani Hlatshwayo made a goal-saving moment by hooking the ball away before it crossed the line.
That chance came after Costa was picked out Modiba, who played a defense-splitting pass that cut SuperSport to shreds.
Sundowns missed another chance as Matthews was picked out by Modiba and the latter played at the far post to set up Costa but the Brazilian international was late and lost his footing in the process.
In a rare moment of attack by SuperSport, attacker Neo Rapoo had a sight of goal with a first-time hit but missed the target.
But those three Sundowns substitutes in the hour mark, completely changed the game as it was men against boys, but still Ronwen Williams was called to action to make a big save to deny Rapoo at the near post.
Williams, when Gape Moralo was trying to close him down at the back, was able to come out from that calmy by sending the youngster to the cleaners.
But as expected, even though it was not the usual Sundowns in the first half, they won’t care as they are up and running with three points and a clean sheet to boot in their defense of the league title they have won in seven successive seasons.