Mamelodi Sundowns’ u18 team turned on the style to win the inaugural HopHydro Cup Namibia over the weekend.
The defending Gauteng Development League champions were a cut above the rest as they beat all three their opponents to finish the tournament unbeaten.
Playing in front of several hundred spectators at the upgraded Collin Benjamin Soccer Arena with a new open stand and an immaculately trimmed field, Sundowns started off slowly in their first match against Collin Benjamin Soccer Talents (CBST) on Friday and only sealed their victory after two late goals.
Sundowns dominated possession with Simphiwe Mlondo and Orabile Booysen dangerous early on, but CBST also threatened with Rashid Naobeb having a shot tipped away by a diving Anothando Menemene.
Sundowns, however, created more chances with Booysen volleying over from close range, while CBST’s goalie Phileas Janka saved bravely at the feet of Tshenelo Motaung.
Sundowns continued their attacks after the break with Booysen and Leshilo Bokang coming close, before they finally opened their account with 10 minutes to go. Karabo Modika sent a long throughball to an unmarked Booysen who beat Janka from close range.
In the final stages Janka pulled off a diving save to deny Stevens from a freekick, but Stevens had the final say when he pounced onto a defensive error to seal a 2-0 win.
They might have left it late on Friday, but on Saturday they started like a house on fire against the visiting German side FC Nurnberg, racing into a 6-1 halftime lead before easing to a 7-1 victory.
Selwyn opened the scoring after only six minutes with a great strike from the edge of the box, while Kamva Moni made it 2-0 from the penalty spot after a foul in the box.
Tino Kusanovic came close for Nurnberg when he ran onto a throughball and blasted over from close range, and the Germans finally opened their account when Kusanovic rose high to head a cross into the net.
That, though, was as good as it got for Nurnberg as Sundowns stepped up the tempo and dazzled the cheering crowd with their skills and quick passes.
Kgaegelo Monoyane made it 3-1 after cutting in from the right wing, while Liam Martinhuis made it 4-1 after heading in a cross by Kamohelo Mareletse.
Just before halftime the irrepressible Mareletse got onto the score sheet as well with two goals in quick succession. He first beat Nurnberg keeper Noah Heid from close range after breaking through the defence and then scored with an angled shot from the right wing to complete a masterful first half performance.
Sundowns took the foot off the pedal after the break, but there was still time for a goal by Stevens in the closing stages as they completed an emphatic 7-1 victory.
Yesterday Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run with another emphatic 6-1 win against Khomas XI.
They dominated from the start and two early goals by Booysen and Simphiwe Mlondo put them 2-0 ahead within 10 minutes, while another Mlondo goal gave them a 3-0 lead at the halftime break.
Selwyn Stevens made it 4-0 with a great long range shot, before Vitario Brunzel finally opened Khomas’ account, scoring from the penalty spot after a foul in the box.
Brunzel missed a great opportunity when he hit the post from close range, and Sundowns had the final say with further goals by Chuene Moabelo and Bokang Leshilo to seal a 6-1 win.
In other results, CBST beat Khomas XI 2-1, and Khomas XI beat Nurnberg 2-1, and CBST beat Nurnberg 4-0.
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