ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Pretoria | Monday 9.00am.
IF there has been a legitimate criticism of star-studded Sundowns in the past it centred around the ability of Roger Feutmba and his not-so-limited company to claw out of deep holes.
The often sublime skills were never in question, just the mental and physical strength when confronted with opponents who refused to raise the white flag at the slightest hint of being overwhelmed by a dazzling array of talent.
On Sunday afternoon, a giant question mark hung over the ‘Brazilians’ 31 minutes into a Bob Save Super Bowl first-round clash with mid-table Santos at thinly-populated Greenpoint Stadium in sun-kissed Cape Town.
Santos were sitting pretty courtesy of goals from Joseph Baloyi and Daniel Sekhoto and Sundowns coach Paul Dolezar was tearing a few more strands from his rapidly-decreasing thatch.
He need not have become so excited because captain Daniel Mudau and Joel Masilela struck before half-time and Jethro ‘Lovers’ Mohlala scored a goal worthy of winning any cup tie midway through the second half.
Mohlala, a tall, strong wingback who so often flatters only to deceive, burst past several Santos defenders and once goalkeeper Craig Mentz came within sight, he unleashed an unstoppable shot.
Ajax Cape Town emulated Sundowns by turning a two-goal half-time deficit into a 3-2 victory at African Wanderers with big Nigerian defender Sam Pam scoring a soft winner two minutes from full-time.
The all-Premiership clashes provided by far the most excitement with Japhet Zwane snatching a late winner for Manning Rangers at Classic and two extra-time goals from Aaron Nkosi brought Moroka Swallows success at Wits University.