Downs end Chippa run
Brazilians finally beat bogey after three-draw streak
PERCY Tau came up with the goods again as Mamelodi Sundowns kept their noses in front in the Absa Premiership race by beating bogey team Chippa United 2-0 at Loftus Versfeld yesterday. Sundowns had drawn their last three league games against the Eastern Cape outfit, and lost to them in the Telkom Knockout in October, but Tau’s 37th-minute finish, followed by Khama Billiat’s goal 10 minutes from the end, saw Pitso Mosimane’s team secure the game – and an important points haul.
The Brazilians remain one point ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates but still with a game in hand as the title race remains riveting.
Sundowns, now unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions, fielded their strongest side despite having played on Sunday in the Nedbank Cup away in Cape Town, while Chippa were fresh after a three-week break.
The game failed to deliver any flow as a congested midfield and constant pressing meant a continual turnover of possession, although Sundowns managed to play with some style in the second half.
Chippa waited for their counterattack chances and the first came in the 19th minute with Kurt Lentjies playing the perfect forward pass, splitting the Sundowns defence and setting Linda Mntambo away.
But Denis Onyango rushed out to make a vital save and deny Chippa what would have been their first-ever away goal against Sundowns.
A defensive slip by Wayne Arendse allowed Mntambo a half chance some 10 minutes later, but again Onyango was quickly off his line to smother the opportunity.
Sundowns did not test Daniel Akpeyi in the Chippa goal at all until their fortuitous opener.
Gaston Sirino’s cross was missed by both central defenders, James Okwuosa and Ayabulela Konqoba, and handed Tau an easy close-in finish despite a congested penalty area.
Tau’s goal was his 10th in the league this season, but he remains one behind Rodney Ramagalela of Polokwane City, who was also on the score sheet yesterday.
After the break, Tebego Langerman set up a chance for Sibusiso Vilakazi to score but Akpeyi made a good stop, as he did later in the half from Billiat’s free kick.
A superb passing move settled the game in the 80th minute with Themba Zwane’s clever back heel allowing Billiat to burst through and chip it past Akpeyi for the 2-0 score line.
Meanwhile, Forward Lerato Lamola scored the only goal of the game as Lamontville Golden Arrows secured a precious 1-0 away win at Cape Town City with a typical smash-and-grab in the Absa Premiership yesterday.
The victory eases the relegation worries of the Durban-based side who now have 30 points, but City’s top eight qualification is seriously in doubt as they dominated possession but could not find a way through the visitors’ stubborn defence.
Next up for City is an away trip to Maritzburg United on Saturday, while Golden Arrows host Free State Stars on the same day.
Augustine Mulenga timed his first Orlando Pirates goal to perfection when it helped his team beat a combative Bloemfontein Celtic 2-1.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ win against Chippa United meant Pirates stayed second with 45 points but their title fate is still firmly in their hands.
Pirates are a point behind Sundowns, who still have a game in hand.
On Tuesday night, Teenage Hadebe rose to head in Siphiwe Tshabalala’s free-kick four minutes and 30 seconds into injury time for Kaizer Chiefs to snatch a last-gasp 1-0 Absa Premiership victory against Free State Stars.
The strike saw Stars goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare finally beaten after a string of saves from the Ivorian had kept his team in the game, and Amahkosi, who edged the last hour of the game without being rampantly dominant, at bay at Goble Park in Bethlehem.
The result saw Chiefs leapfrog over Stars and Maritzburg United into third place on 39 points.