Downs honour Madisha with a win

A sombre mood prevailed at Loftus Versveld yesterday where Mamelodi Sundowns faced Chippa United in a DStv Premiership contest.

It was Masandawana’s first match since the confirmation of the death of Motjeka Madisha but the Brazilians did his memory proud with a 2-0 victory.

The late Sundowns defender’s DNA results were received by his family about 50 days after he lost his life in a car accident on 12 December last year and the match was played in his honour.

Their victory sees them extending their lead at the summit of the league standings.

Lebohang Maboe opened the scoring in the first-half and much to his relief, his goal was well-received by the Sundowns faithful on social media considering he had received a lot of stick in the past few games.

To his credit, his header was a thing of beauty as he received a square ball from Peter Shalulile and hung himself in the air to connect with the header, beating Ayanda Mtshali in the Chippa goal.

Shalulile was again the provider 16 minutes later, this time around he assisted Gaston Sirino, who scored his maiden goal of the season.

Shalulile had the option to create space and take the shot himself as Chippa defenders didn’t bother marking him, making the mistake of assuming the referee would blow his whistle for offside and Shalulile delivered the ball to Sirino on a silver platter.

Before Sirino found the back of the net, Chippa head coach Dan “Dance” Malesela made early substitutions just after the half-hour mark.

He withdrew midfielder Avela Cezu and defender Gregory Damons, who were replaced by strikers Augustine Kwem and Thabiso Lebitso.

The second stanza saw Downs applying more pressure.

In the 66th minute, they were convinced it was a penalty when Themba Zwane’s shot struck a defender’s arm in the box, but experienced referee Victor Hlungwani waved play on.