Randburg FC clinches a narrow win over Sundowns
Randburg Football Club kept the clean sheet and all three points against Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Randburg Football Association U17 won their second Gauteng Development League (GDL) match at home, shocking Mamelodi Sundowns with 1–0.
Randburg made it two out of two following their 3–2 win away at Panorama in their first game of the 2024 season.
The visitors struggled to play their famous possession football in the first 20 minutes. The home side used the high pressure and closed the gaps quickly to suffocate the visitors and force them to make mistakes.
The first big chance of the game fell into the feet of skilful winger Jason Oliver who was causing havoc for Sundowns’ defence on the left side. He blazed his shot wide after a well-controlled ball in the opponent’s final third.
Oliver shortly after forced Sundowns keeper Luke Holding to a brilliant save. Persistence and aggression finally paid off for the hosts as Sipho Muntanga broke free and turned over the defender, leaving him on the floor and calmly slotted the opener to give his side a well-deserved lead.
The last minutes of the first half belonged to the visitors. They pushed the hosts back and started to play their game. They found small gaps in the midfield and started to create chances.
Randburg held on in the second 45 minutes; Sundowns did not give them the time and spaces on the ball. The visitors applied more and more pressure keeping the ball and spreading it all over the pitch.
Both teams made changes with the home side looking to stabilise their midfield and the visitors strengthening their attack. Sundowns were denied the equaliser as the substitute Simphiwe Mlondo’s well-taken strike hit the crossbar in the dying minutes of the second half.
Randburg kept the discipline at the back and managed to take all three points plus a clean sheet.
Coach Fils Kutuka gave credit to his team for holding on. He explained that they needed the full points as they are already chasing for the league.
“We did not want to give any chances away; the boys showed character, and they gave it their all – credit to them for fighting.”
He added that they were looking to build up from the back and keep Sundowns’ full-backs as up as possible.
“We wanted to create as many opportunities and shots as possible but I’m glad we won and happy to get all points.”
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