Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 3-0 Chippa United
Date: 15 February 2020
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Mamelodi Sundowns kept the pressure on Absa Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs after defeating Chippa United 3-0 at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday afternoon.
With Anele Ngcongca and Thapelo Morena missing out through injury, Nicholus Lukhubeni and Lebohang Maboe were drafted into the line-up. Meanwhile, Chippa made three alterations, as Tercious Malepe, Silas Maziya and Meshack Maphangule all returned.
Sundowns got off to a superb start as Lukhubeni went on a breathtaking solo-run from the half-way line unchallenged and struck a left-footed strike to the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.
The Brazilians came very close to adding a second goal in the 13th minute as Gaston Sirino's volley from the edge of the box crashed against crossbar while Themba Zwane failed to hit the target from the rebound.
It was all Pitso Mosimane's charges in the opening stanza, as Maboe went clear on goal in the 22nd minute and unleashed a looping strike that came off the underside of the crossbar.
Chippa, meanwhile, had to wait for their first meaningful opening six minutes before the break after Maziya's cross-cum-shot looped over Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango and hit the frame of the goal.
Sundowns piled on the pressure after the break and were awarded a penalty just before the hour-mark after Sandile Mthethwa denied Sibusiso Vilakazi a clear goal-scoring opportunity, with the Chippa defender being sent off moments later. Zwane stepped up and calmly slotted home to double his side's lead.
Mosimane's troops bagged the third goal in the 64th minute after Vilakazi had the easy task of tapping into an open net from Sirino's unselfish cut-back after a quick counter-attack.
Sundowns were dealt a blow with 16 minutes remaining, as Onyango picked up a hamstring injury and was taken off as a precaution, with Kennedy Mweene coming on in his place.
Chippa's Boikanyo Komane nearly scored an own goal in the last six minutes after diverting Sphelele Mkhulise's cross to up to the side-netting at the near post, with Mothwa wrong-footed.
In the end, Sundowns were comfortable 3-0 winners to reclaim second spot from Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns: 14. Onyango, 32. Lukhubeni, 5. Lebusa, 2. Madisha, 3. Nascimento, 15. Jali, 8. Kekana, 18. Zwane, 33. Maboe, 10. Sirino, 11. Vilakazi.
Subs: 1. Mweene, 6. Arendse, 7. Lakay, 13. Mabunda, 23. Meza, 21. Mkhulise, 26. Makgalwa.
Chippa: 34. Mothwa, 3. Mthethwa, 12. Malepe, 20. K.Moyo, 22. Modisane, 44. Komane, 33. Mahola, 11. Maziya, 13. Maphangule, 4. Gamildien, 15. Kwem.
Subs: Mazibuko, 29. Sekotlong, 17. Maarman, 8. Rakhale, Jodwana, 14. E.Moyo, 32. Lentjies.
