Ntombekhaya Zibi
A 1-0 win for Mamelodi Sundowns against Kaizer Chiefs put them both on 53 points on Thursday night at Orlando Stadium. Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp started with Keletso Sifama following Leonardo Castro’s injury that led him to miss this match.
An opportunity came for Chiefs in the 14th minute following a beautifully constructed counter-attack from Lebogang Manyama. Bernard Parker missed the crucial moment.
After 20 minutes, Garston Sirino was faulted by Yagan Sasman giving the Brazilians another free-kick on the edge of the box. Lakay took it and it seemed dangerous heading towards the top right corner but Daniel Akpeyi did well to tip the ball around the post.
The winning goal came in the 35th minute by Sundowns. Rivaldo Coetzee played the ball to Zwane produced an amazing back-heeled flick in to Sirino’s path and the Uruguayan wasted no time in finishing the ball sending it to the back of the net.
Another chance presented itself for Sundowns when Hlompho Kekana’s long ball over the top of the Chiefs defence caught Sirino who went past Erick Mathoho easily, but, Akpeyi came to the rescue refusing a second goal for his opponents.
After half time Chiefs made a few changes with Khama Billiat, Dumisani Zuma and Anthony Akumu coming in.
Parker had a chance to bring Chiefs back into the game a minute into the second half with a long range strike but Kennedy Mweene came through for the Brazilians. Amakhosi pulled through making Sundowns to defend in numbers as they tried to come back into the game to get an equalizer but Mweene saved them.
Mosimane made a double change 65 minutes in by taking of Zwane and Sirino and in Lebogang Maboe and Andile Jali.
Masandawana had a beautiful chance double their lead in the last 13 minutes, but it also didn’t go well.
With only three games left for each team, Kaizer Chiefs is still in the first position on the league as they have a better goal difference than Sundowns
