While Anthony Laffor, Gaston Sirino and Khama Billiat shone, it proved a disappointing day for Letlhogonolo Mirwa and Willard Katsande as Sundowns downed Kaizer Chiefs to be crowned Shell Helix Ultra Cup champions, writes MARSHALL GOUTS.
Kaizer Chiefs:
Itumeleng Khune: 6/10
The Bafana Bafana shot-stopper was hardly tested in the first half as a result of the solid defensive partnership by Cardoso and Mathoho. Could do nothing about Brockie or Lebese with his defence largely at fault.
Ramahlwe Mphahlele: 7/10
Defensively sound and excellent in offence, linking up with Billiat to good effect on the right wing.
Daniel Cardoso: 6/10
Covered well for centre back partner Mathoho and won the occasions when he was outpaced. Had a solid game overall, barring Sundowns’ opener in which he let Laffor through.
Eric Mathoho: 6/10
Showed his defensive masterclass when dealing with more pacy opponents in Laffor and Sirino. Wasted an excellent chance to level the scores, but blasted his effort over the crossbar in the second half.
Letlhogonolo Mirwa: 4/10
Scara didn’t enjoy the best of games, with Laffor giving him a torrid time. Often mistimed his tackles and got caught out in possession. Came as no surprise that he was the first player to be subbed off for Zulu.
Willard Katsande: 5/10
Wasn’t the best of performances from the Zimbabwean hardman, who looked out of sorts in attack and defence. Probably had the most misplaced passes out of everybody on the pitch. Looked a man in decline.
Hendrick Ekstein: 6/10
Was the link between Chiefs’ defence and attack. Although he looked comfortable on the ball, he failed to provide the attacking trio of Billiat, Castro and Paez with defence-splitting passes.
Siphiwe Tshabalala: 6/10
Not the most inspiring of performances from the veteran midfielder, who blew hot and cold throughout the clash. Chiefs desperately needed him to deliver those killer passes in the final third, but he didn’t.
Khama Billiat: 8/10
Proved a handful for his former team with his pace and trickery. Linked up well with the likes of Castro and Mphahlele. Gradually faded as the game went on.
Leonardo Castro: 7/10
Worked tirelessly and fought hard to fend off Soumahoro.
Gustavo Paez: 6/10
Struggled to latch on to the balls handed to him by the likes of Billiat, Castro and Tshabalala. Came off for substitute Joseph Moloangoane in the second half.
Subs:
Philani Zulu: 6/10
Seemed out of sorts with regard to his positioning after coming on. Played at left back, left wing and in the midfield if I’m not mistaken.
Teenage Hadebe: 5/10
Puzzling substitution considering that Chiefs were trailing at the time he was brought on (for a midfielder, might I add). Didn’t do much. Actually disrupted the defensive pairing of Mathoho and Cardoso, if anything,
Bernard Parker: 7/10
Scored a consolation goal off virtually the last kick of the game with a well-taken header.
Ryan Moon: 6/10
Showed he was intent on getting the ball forward, but was often starved of the supply.
Bhongolwethu Jayiya: N/A
Too little time for a rating.
Mamelodi Sundowns:
Kennedy Mweene: 7/10
Was a virtual spectator in the first half, but made an excellent point-blank range stop from Billiat to keep the scores locked at 0-0.
Thapelo Morena: 7/10
Looked very exciting going forward and linked up well with Laffor; however, the former Bloemfontein Celtic man’s crossing needs to improve.
Lyle Lakay: 7/10
Played in the unfamiliar role of left back on his Sundowns debut, but looked quite comfortable, both in attack and defence.
Soumahoro Bangaly: 6/10
Did well in dealing with the aerial threats of Castro and Paez. His partnership with Madisha was hardly deterred, despite Billiat’s brilliance.
Motjeka Madisha: 7/10
Formed a solid partnership with Bangaly which grew in strength as the game went on. Hardly put a foot wrong and dealt well with Castro’s physicality.
Lucky Mohomi: 7/10
Quality performance from the midfielder, who kept it simple and complemented those around him in Sundowns’ seamless transition from attack to defence.
Sphelele Mkhulise: 8/10
The academy graduate formed a solid partnership with Mohomi in the middle of the park, often outsmarting his more senior opponents in Ekstein and Katsande.
Oupa Manyisa: 6/10
Kept it simple throughout the clash, which worked to good effect. Didn’t see much of him in the final third, but his partnership with Mohomi was sound.
Jeremy Brockie: 7/10
Worked tirelessly off the ball and was rewarded for his efforts, netting his first ever goal for the club – almost a year after joining the Chloorkop side.
Gaston Sirino: 8/10
The Uruguayan oozes class and he displayed that at the FNB Stadium by spraying passes all around the park with freedom, while often drawing fouls from his frustrated opponents.
Anthony Laffor: 9/10
Along with Sirino, Laffor was by far Sundowns’ most dangerous player. Often switched wings, terrorising Mphahlele and Mirwa. Brockie’s first Sundowns goal came as a result of his driving run and effort which came off the post.
Subs:
Themba Zwane: 8/10
Came on to excellent effect. Changed the pace of the game at ease, which suited Sundowns, who were in complete control at the time. Showed great composure for his goal.
Toni Silva: 6/10
Didn’t get to see much of the former Chelsea and Liverpool development player, but he is quite direct with his approach.
Hlompho Kekana: 7/10
Came on to solidify the Sundowns side who were in the lead and did an excellent job. Didn’t see his traditional long balls though.
George Lebese: 7/10
Showed glimpses of the Lebese of old as he came on for an exciting cameo appearance which saw him assist Zwane’s goal.
Cuthbert Malajila: N/A
Too little time for a rating.
