The Sun goes Down on Pitso

Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a third successive defeat yesterday as they went down 1-0 to Chippa United in the Telkom Knockout last-16 at a packed Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.

The goal came in the second half following a dull first period.

Former Sundowns defender Samuel Julies came off the bench for Lerato Manzini on the hour mark to almost immediately score the winner.

Julies was at end of a Chippa counter-attack instigated by Sizwe Mdlinzo, laying it off to Mpho Mvelase (below) who found Julies in the box, and the 26-year-old left Denis Onyango with no chance.

Pitso Mosimane’s hand was forced into making an early substitution when striker Thokozani Sekotlong picked up a knee injury nine minutes in, with former Kaizer Chiefs winger George Lebese coming on in the place of his fellow Mamelodi-born team-mate.

Lebese, however, suffered the humiliation of being brought on, only to be withdrawn with about 20 minutes left on the clock. Chiefs-linked striker Leonardo Castro was sent on – but Chippa’s defence remained resolute.

Paseka Mako fluffed a chance to extend the home side’s lead in the 79th minute after a loose ball fell at his feet. He however struck the ball against defender Thapelo Morena.

It was not for a lack of trying on the part of the African champions who looked to have shifted up a gear in the closing 10 minutes.

Percy Tau tried to catch goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi off his line, buthit the ball over the bar.

Meanwhile, Baroka FC made sure that Cape Town City will not successfully defend their title when they landed the knockout blow in a 1-0 win over Benni McCarthy’s men.

Chippa are at home to Chiefs in the last-eight, while Baroka will be away to Bidvest Wits. Orlando Pirates host Polokwane City and Bloemfontein Celtic travel to Free State Stars.