More surprises could be in store in the MTN8 semi-final second-legs after South African football showed maturity and improvement in one area that has been lacking over the years.
South African football is not known for scoring too many goals from crosses and set-pieces but over the weekend, all the goals that were scored in the MTN8 semi-final first-legs were scored from aerial balls.
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Mamelodi Sundowns were expected to roll over Kaizer Chiefs in the MTN8 but Amakhosi almost caused an upset, after Edson Castillo broke the deadlock in the second stanza with a stunning header.
What was equally surprising was the Brazilians netting the equaliser from a well executed header as well through Khuliso Mudau, as the game ended 1-1.
Orlando Pirates also did not have it easy against Stellenbosch, as the Cape Winelands side opened the scoring, with a man down, after Ismael Toure headed home a cross in the box.
In response, the Buccaneers levelled matters with a well taken header by Zakhele Lepasa while another cross from Patrick Maswanganyi was deflected into goal by Deon Hotto in a 2-1 win.
Former Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has suggested that it shows that there is growth in South African football, given how teams vary their game with the execution of crosses and set-plays, which was not the case during his playing days.
"That should give you a lot of encouragement. Over the weekend we saw a different dynamic of football in South Africa, I was happy to see all those goals coming from crosses," Kekana said on Radio 2000.
"Back in the days we knew that if Bernard Parker or (Katlego) 'Killer' Mphela doesn't score in the box then we would expect Hlompho Kekana to hit one of the flukes out of the box, then we celebrate.
"But today, you know quality crosses. I saw a quality cross from (Ashley) Du Preez, what a technique, having to see Castillo and we can say the same with (Junior) Mendieta's cross and Mudau the finisher, that was beautiful to watch. On Sunday as well, Maswanganyi to Lepasa, he's on fire, that was beautiful," he said.
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But with the latest trend of goals from crosses and set-pieces, the other side of the coin is, will one away goal be enough for the Brazilians, because Amakhosi have shown that they can score goals even when they don't hold a lot of possession?
Stellies, meanwhile, competed really well against Pirates, scoring while a man down and there could still be more goals in this encounter, in the second-leg.
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