Brave Kaizer Chiefs sunk by Mamelodi Sundowns

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were made to work hard for their win over a resolute Kaizer Chiefs team.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were made to work hard for their win over a resolute Kaizer Chiefs team. Image: Kaizer Chiefs website

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were made to work hard for their 1-0 win over a resolute Kaizer Chiefs team when the two giants clashed in a Betway Premiership encounter at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.

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A single goal, scored in the 41st minute by Lucas Ribeiro proved decisive, as Amakhosi pushed the home side all the way and, with a bit of good fortune, might well have taken something from the game.

Despite the odds heavily favouring the hosts going into the match, Kaizer Chiefs more than held their own in a relatively low-tempo first half, and indeed looked the more likely to score.

In the 10th minute, Glody Lilepo outran Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lucas Suarez, but Khuliso Mudau arrived just in time to prevent his pass reaching Pule Mmodi inside the six-yard box.

Then, on 17 minutes, a raking diagonal pass found Reeve Frosler on the right but his clever cut-back was blazed over the bar by Mduduzi Shabalala.

Taashriq Morris had to be replaced midway through the half and Ashley du Preez came on to almost immediately threaten Mamelodi Sundowns with his pace, forcing Jody February to come out of his box and head a long ball clear. It fell into the path of Lilepo, whose attempted lob did not find the target.

Mmodi also went close after cutting in from the left in the 33rd minute and beating Mudau, although he couldn’t squeeze the ball inside the far post from a tight angle.

Kaizer Chiefs were undone four minutes before the break when Iqraam Rayners beat the offside trap for once to latch onto a pass over the top from Asekho Tiwani and laid it square to Ribeiro, who flicked the ball up and then ferociously volleyed it past Bruce Bvuma to send Masandawana into half-time leading 1-0.

Hesitancy

Amakhosi’s resolve continued into the second half as they sought an equalising goal.

Three minutes in, Shabalala almost nipped in to score amid some hesitancy in the Mamelodi Sundowns defence and his skilful run in the 54th minute created space for Lilepo to put in a dangerous cross that was deflected out for a corner.

Amakhosi pressured Mamelodi Sudowns at every opportunity and forced them into committing a succession of fouls in order to break the Kaizer Chiefs rhythm, something perhaps the referee might have been a little sterner about.

On a rare Mamelodi Sundowns break midway through the half, Bvuma pulled off a crucial double save, first parrying Rayners’ cross and then blocking Tebogo Mokoena’s follow-up shot.

Notwithstanding a supreme effort, which was acknowledged by the legions of Amakhosi faithful singing in support of the players on the field, they were unable to breach the Masandawana rear guard, which held firm to see out the remaining time.

Mamelodi Sundowns stretched their lead to yawning 18 points over nearest challengers Orlando Pirates who were surprisingly beaten 2-0 on Saturday by Marumo Gallants.

Masandawana have 54 points after 20 matches thanks to 18 wins and two defeats.

Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs remained in eighth place on 25 points from 19 games played to date.

Amakhosi host Magesi FC at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 4 March (19:30) in the league before turning their attention to Saturday, 8 March’s Nedbank Cup quarter-final against Stellenbosch FC (18:00).

UPDATED BETWAY PREMIERSHIP LOG

TEAMS

Mamelodi Sundowns

February (36); Khoza (42), Suarez (32), Adams (44) (Aubass (15) 62’), Mudau (25) (Morena (27) 62’), Mokoena (4), Tiwani (31), Allende (11), Ribeiro Costa (10) (Sales (9) 78’) Rayners (13) (Lebusa (5) 87’), Shalulile (38) (Matthews (17) 62’)

Subs not used: Tshabalaka (50); Lunga (29), Mkhulise (21), Maseko (33)

Coach: Miguel Cardoso

Kaizer Chiefs

Bvuma (44), Dove (2), Miguel (84), Dortley (14), Frosler (39) (Solomons (18) 79’), Cele (21) (Blom (6) 79’), Maart (8) ©, Shabalala (42) (Vilakazi (28) 79’), Mmodi (13), Lilepo (99), Morris (40) (Du Preez (9) 26’) (Chivaviro (7) 87’)

Subs not used: Petersen (1), Cross (48), Msimango (25), Matlou (22)

Coach: Nasreddine Nabi