Mamelodi Sundowns had to dig deep to secure a 1-0 victory over a determined Kaizer Chiefs side in a highly competitive Betway Premiership match at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday.
A Single Goal Seals the Victory for Sundowns
The only goal of the match came in the 41st minute, courtesy of Lucas Ribeiro, which ultimately proved to be the difference.
While Sundowns dominated possession, Kaizer Chiefs made them work for it, showing resilience and coming close to leveling the score on several occasions.
Chiefs Show Resilience in the First Half
Despite being the underdogs going into the match, Kaizer Chiefs made a strong statement in the opening half.
The visitors looked solid, playing with purpose, and had a few near-misses that could have shifted the momentum in their favor.
In the 10th minute, Glody Lilepo sprinted past Sundowns’ defender Lucas Suarez, only for Khuliso Mudau to intervene just in time, denying Lilepo the chance to find Pule Mmodi inside the six-yard box.
Near Misses for Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs continued to threaten the Sundowns defense.
A precise diagonal pass found Reeve Frosler in the 17th minute, but Mduduzi Shabalala couldn’t convert his clever cut-back.
In the 26th minute, a substitution saw Ashley du Preez replace the injured Taashriq Morris.
Du Preez’s immediate impact almost created an opportunity when he forced Sundowns’ goalkeeper Jody February to head a ball out of danger, only for Lilepo’s attempted lob to miss the mark.
Sundowns Take the Lead Just Before Halftime
The breakthrough for Sundowns came just minutes before the break.
A perfectly timed pass from Asekho Tiwani found Iqraam Rayners, who then squared the ball to Ribeiro.
Ribeiro’s swift volley beat Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, sending Sundowns into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs Continue to Push in the Second Half
The second half saw Kaizer Chiefs continue to press, searching for an equalizer.
In the 48th minute, Shabalala almost capitalized on a moment of hesitation from the Sundowns defense, but his attempt fell short.
A few minutes later, Lilepo’s skillful run created a dangerous cross, but it was deflected out for a corner.
Chiefs’ persistence was clear, but Sundowns’ defense remained strong, holding them at bay.
Crucial Saves Keep Sundowns in the Lead
On a rare break, Sundowns’ Bvuma was forced into action.
He made a crucial double save midway through the second half, first denying Rayners’ cross before blocking Tebogo Mokoena’s follow-up shot.
Despite a valiant effort from Chiefs, they couldn’t break through Sundowns’ defense, which stood firm until the final whistle.
Sundowns Extend Their Lead at the Top
With the victory, Mamelodi Sundowns extended their lead at the top of the Betway Premiership to a commanding 18 points over second-place Orlando Pirates, who were surprisingly beaten 2-0 by Marumo Gallants.
Sundowns now have 54 points from 20 matches, with 18 wins and only 2 losses.
Kaizer Chiefs Struggle to Gain Ground
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs remain in 8th place with 25 points from 19 matches played.
They will need to improve if they want to stay competitive in the race for a top-eight finish this season.
What’s Next for Kaizer Chiefs?
Kaizer Chiefs will host Magesi FC at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday, March 4th, before turning their attention to the Nedbank Cup quarter-final clash against Stellenbosch FC on Saturday, March 8th.