Mamelodi Sundowns made it four wins from four matches in the DStv Premiership after defeating Chippa United 2-0 on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Chippa United 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 19 August 2023
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Sundowns were without striker Peter Shalulile due to a hamstring injury, as they made two changes from their thumping win over Golden Arrows with the return of Lucas Ribeiro Costa and Aubrey Modiba.
The Brazilians attacked with intensity in the opening exchanges and within nine minutes Lesiba Nku nearly opened the scoring with a dipping strike that was well dealt with by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
However, the Chilli Boys were quick to close Sundowns as the game progressed and it took a lapse in concentration nine minutes before the interval for Rulani Mokwena's charges to find a gap, as Modiba slipped through in the box ans broke the deadlock with a strike into a gaping net.
Chippa opened the game by pressing the Brazilians high but they paid the price for it just before the half-time break, as Justice Chabalala scored an own goal with a miscued clearance in the box.
There was time for the Tshwane giants to get the third goal, as Ribeiro almost killed off the game on the stroke of half-time with a curling free-kick that crashed the post.
The Chilli Boys were unfortunate not to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time twice after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams brilliantly kept out a sweeping volley by Ronaldo Maarman and a header in the top corner by Chabalala.
Morgan Mammila's troops came back still fired up from the break and were not dropping their heads but it up until the hour-mark to threaten Sundowns as Maarman had a shot that sailed slightly over the crossbar.
The Brazilians were happy to keep possession and have Chippa chasing it, as they did that for longer periods and with 15 minutes to go, Mokwena needed fresh legs in midfield, as Themba Zwane and Nku both made way for Junior Mendieta and Neo Maema.
The Tshwane giants were still in control in the closing minutes, even after withdrawing Costa and Marcelo Allende as they contained the Chilli Boys to win their fourth consecutive game and extended their lead at the top of the log to five points.
Sundowns will be back in action on Wednesday evening as they travel to KwaZulu-Natal to take on Richards Bay.
Here's how they lined up:
Chippa United: 32. Nwabali, 5. Pietersen, 24. Konqobe, 33. Chabalala, 20. Mosele, 30. Martin, 10. Memela, 2. Mdunyelwa, 3. Ntsabo, 11. Maarmaan, 15. Mulenga.
Subs: 1. Kazapua, 25. Kammies, 14. Kwayiba, 19. Majogoro, 13. Luthuli, 28. Lebitso, 21. Nkwanyama, 17. Ndwandwe
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 20. Kekana, 13. Boutouil, 34. Mvala, 40. Coetzee, 17. Modiba, 11. Allende, 18. Zwane, 7. Nku, 23. Ribeiro
Subs: 1. D.Onyango, 6. B.Onyango, 14. Mashego, 8. Zungu, 24. Mbule, 19. Aubaas, 35. Maema, 22. Mabena, 15. Mendieta
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