Kenyan internationals Joash Onyango and Brian ‘Niang’ Mandela were missing in action as their respective sides Simba SC and Mamelodi Sundowns recorded victories in matches played on Tuesday evening.While Simba played in the Tanzanian cup competition, Sundowns extended their unbeaten start to the 2021/2022 South African season as they edged out their opponents despite being reduced to ten men. Here is a wrap of how the action unfolded.Brian MandelaDespite being included in the matchday squad, Mandela was forced to watch the entire game from the sidelines as he was an unused substitute in Sundowns’ 2-1 win over Baroka FC.In the match played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, the Brazilians were made to work hard for their win as they were reduced to ten men for an entire half. Still, the Motsepe owned outfit showed why they have won the league title four seasons in a row as they scored the winning goal with seven minutes left on the clock.Full-time in Pretoria! Great fight and determination means 3️⃣ more points on the board for The Brazilians! 🙌Mamelodi Sundowns (45+3′ Coetzee, 83′ Zwane) 2️⃣➖1️⃣ Baroka FC (71′ Mbulu) #Sundowns #DownsLive #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/s03mVeVezK— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) December 14, 2021 Kermit Erasmus was given his marching orders on the stroke of halftime after picking up two yellow cards in a space of two minutes. However, just a minute after the incident, Rivaldo Coetzee benefited from a free-kick that had been awarded to his team as he tapped into an empty net to give Sundowns a 1-0 halftime lead.With a man advantage, Baroka managed to restore parity as Richard Mbulu struck in the 71st minute. They however could not make their numerical advantage count as 2020/2021 Player of the Year Themba Zwane scored the winning goal for his ten-man side in the 83rd minute. A win that momentarily extended their lead at the top of the log to fifteen points.
Joash OnyangoUnlike Mandela, Joash was completely not involved in the matchday squad as Simba successfully started the defense of their FA Cup with a narrow 1-0 victory over JKT Tanzania courtesy of a first-half strike from Kibu Denis.🎞 Goli la ushindi kutoka kwa Kibu Denis. #ASFC #NguvuMoja pic.twitter.com/VqSJujLo2m— Simba Sports Club (@SimbaSCTanzania) December 14, 2021