Chiefs Fall To Sundowns In Orlando

Kaizer Chiefs                       (0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns       (1) 1 (Sirino 34’)

Kaizer Chiefs were defeated 1-0 in a top of the table Absa Premiership clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on Thursday evening. The only goal of the game came in the 34^th minute scored by Gaston Sirino. Chiefs put up a brave showing in the second half but came unstuck by Sundowns’ rear guard action.

Both teams tested each other out in the early exchanges with both goalkeepers holding firm making vital stops to get a good feel of the ball.

Chiefs created the first major opening of the game in the 13^th minute when they broke down a Sundowns attack and Reeve Frosler managed to play the ball to Willard Katsande. Katsande sent Bernard Parker free down the middle as Parker bore down on goal and with Kennedy Mweene committed off his line, he sent the ball to his right to Lazalous Kambole who attempted a shot but with bodies in his way set up Keletso Sifama, whose effort at goal was blocked by Mosa Lebusa.

In the 20^th minute, Daniel Akpeyi pulled off a superb save as he jumped up off the ground to turn a venomous curling free kick from around 22 yards out by Lyle Lakay round his post with his fingertips to keep his goal intact.

In the 34^th minute, a clearance by Willard Katsande hit Reeve Frosler and the ball fell to Rivaldo Coetzee, who sent the ball towards Themba Zwane. Zwane backheeled the ball to Sirino, who raced onto the ball and drilled it past Akpeyi to hand Sundowns the lead.

In referee’s added time at the end of the first half, it took a real brave stop from Akpeyi to keep Sundowns from doubling their advantage. Sirino ran onto a long ball down the left and was able to get beyond Mulomowandau Mathoho. With the goal in front of him, Sirino could not get past the Chiefs goalie who sprawled across the ground, pushed the ball away before collecting it and averting the danger.

Four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half, Bernard Parker managed to find Kambole, but he was unable to make full contact with the ball and the danger was averted as Sundowns took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Three changes were made at the start of the second half with Khama Billiat replacing Kambole, Dumsani Zuma coming on for Sifama and Anthony Akumu Agay swopping places with Katsande.

Chiefs made their intentions clear at the start of the second half that they intended to battle their way back into the game. In the 48^th minute, Parker had a go from distance but Mweene managed to get a hand on to the ball and it hit the cross bar on its way out for a Chiefs corner.

Chiefs continued to keep up the pressure and in the 52^nd minute, a good spell of pressure saw second half substitute Zuma being played into space by Manyama after he had initially passed the ball to him. He went for goal from a tight angle and Mweene came out to block his effort.

Six minutes later, Chiefs were on the attack again. Yagan Sasman sent the ball over from the right wing to the far post, where Mathoho did well to control the ball and knocked it goal wards. Mweene stuck out a leg, the ball fell to Zuma whose drive towards goal hit Khama Billiat.

A defensive mix between the Chiefs backline almost allowed Sundowns to double their lead in the 77^th minute. Lebohang Maboe was able to go past Daniel Cardoso. As he came close to goal, Mathoho tried to clear the ball which hit Sasman. The bal then l fell to Maboe who from close range beat Akpeyi but knocked the ball against the upright.

With the game nearing its end in the 88^th minute, Frosler sent in another telling ball from the right which Mathoho attacked and managed to back heel towards goal. Again, Mweene was able to get down and make the save. Deep in referees added time at the end of the second half, Billiat headed a cross by Parker from the right over the goal as Chiefs failed to find an equaliser late in the game.

Chiefs had the better of the second half but Sundowns’ second half tactics which saw them at times play with around six defenders, despite the loss Chiefs remain top of the table as they have a superior goal difference over Sundowns.

Most Valuable Players (MVP)

Reeve Frosler put in a great effort all night long and was unfortunate in the build up to the Sundowns goal. He picked up the pieces and was instrumental in helping Chiefs dominate the game thereafter. His work done the right flank was second to none and he was highly influential along with Mathoho who was pushed up in the latter part of the game. Daniel Akpeyi deserves a commendation for two brave stops in the first half.

Fact of the Game

The 27^th August marked 10 years for Lebogang Manyama since he made his topflight debut for Ajax Cape Town against Bloemfontein Celtic on this day in 2010.

Teams:

Chiefs: Akpeyi; Moleko (Zulu 76’), Mathoho, Cardoso, Sasman; Sifama (Zuma 46’, Mphahlele 90’), Katsande © (Agay 46’), Parker, Frosler; Manyama, Kambole (Billiat 46’)

Subs not used: Bvuma, Ngezana, Baccus, Ngcobo

Sundowns: Mweene; Ngcongca, Madisha, Lebusa, Lakay; Mkhulise (Mahlambi 80’), Kekana © (Arendse 83’), Coetzee, Zwane (Jali 65’); Sirino (Maboe 65’), Meza (Langerman 80’)

Subs not used: Pieterse, Makgalwa. Mabunda, Vilakazi,

What’s next?

Chiefs are next in action against Bidvest Wits on Sunday at our normal home, the FNB Stadium. Amakhosi will have top scorer Samir Nurković available for selection once again. Kick-off is at 15:30.