Absa Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 0-2 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 27 October 2019
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs moved five points clear at the top of Absa Premiership table with a 2-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld.
Click through the gallery to see images from Chiefs' win over Sundowns.
Masandawana midfielder Themba Zwane missed out after failing a late fitness test after, which saw Sibusiso Vilakazi return to the side, while Jose Ali Meza returned in place of Lebohang Maboe. On the other hand, Chiefs were also without the injured pair of Kearyn Baccus and Bernard Parker, with Samir Nurkovic and Njabulo Blom earning re-calls.
The game started at a high tempo, which resulted in the Glamour Boys opening the scoring after just six minutse after Nurkovic finished off Reeve Frosler's cross at the back post.
The visitors were solid at the back for most of the half, but they suffered a casualty with 16 minutes remaining of the first stanza after Frosler picked up an injury and he was replaced by George Maluleka.
Pitso Mosimane's men continued to put pressure on Chiefs in the latter phase of the first stanza and they nearly levelled matters in first-half stoppage time after Andile Jali blazed over the crossbar with only Daniel Akepyi to beat.
The Brazilians were on the front foot in the early stages of the second stanza as they carved out two great chances for Meza and substitute Mauricio Affonso but goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi made two crucial saves to keep his side ahead.
Chiefs were soaking the pressure for most of the time, but Middendorp eventually made a tactical change in the 67th minute after bringing on Dumisani Zuma in place of Leonardo Castro.
The move paid off with 12 minutes remaining as Zuma charged down the left and played a square pass inside the box, with Nurkovic getting the better of a scramble to fire home a powerful shot for his second goal of the game.
The Glamour Boys had chances to get the third goal but Nurkovic and Khama Billiat missed clear opportunities but it did not matter in the end, as they held on to win 2-0 and moved five point clear of the Brazilians at the top of the log.
Here's how they lined up:
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 16. Ngcongca, 27. Morena, 2. Madisha, 5. Lebusa, 4. Langerman, 15. Jali, 8. Kekana, 11. Vilakazi, 10. Sirino, 23. Meza.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 9. Affonso, 13. Mabunda, 17. Mahlambi, 7. Lakay, 40. Coetzee, 33. Maboe.
Chiefs: 43. Akpeyi, 39. Frosler, 20. Sasman, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 45. Blom, 31. Katsande, 21. Manyama, 9. Nurkovic, 11. Billiat, 8. Castro.
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 12. Maluleka, 7. Kambole, 22. Zulu, 28. Zuma, 30. Ngezana, 19. Mashiane.
