Mamelodi Sundowns 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs: Amakhosi rally to end Masandawana’s unbeaten record
The Tshwane giants collapsed in the second-half as they allowed Amakhosi to score twice at Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs became the first team to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL this season after claiming a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the defending champions on Sunday afternoon.
A goal from Gaston Sirino handed Masandawana a first-half lead, but Amakhosi fought back after the restart and they scored twice through Mosa Lebusa (own-goal) and Dumisani Zuma.
Masandawana were determined to bounce back to winning ways after drawing 0-0 with AmaZulu FC on Wednesday and also extended their unbeaten PSL record to 22 matches this season.
Brian Mandela, Andile Jali and Gift Motupa were recalled to the starting line-up as Sundowns’ co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena made three changes to the team which faced AmaZulu.
On the other hand, Amakhosi were hoping to snap their four-match winless run across all competitions having succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Cape Town City in a PSL game on Wednesday.
Coach Gavin Hunt made two changes as he recalled Castro and Philani Zulu to the starting line-up and Amakhosi were looking to avenge the 3-0 defeat to Sundowns in the first round league clash in October 2020.
Sundowns pressed Chiefs from the first whistle with goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune forced to pull off a fine save from Lyle Lakay’s free-kick, before the former Bafana Bafana captain blocked a low shot from Sirino.
However, Amakhosi looked dangerous whenever they launched counter-attacks and they had two good chances with Castro firing over the crossbar from close range and Zulu’s deflected shot was saved by keeper Denis Onyango.
Masandawana then opened the scoring in the 35th minute following a great move involving Zwane and Motupa, before the latter set-up Sirino, who hit the back of the net to hand Sundowns a 1-0 lead after rounding Khune.
Amakhosi suffered a blow when Khama Billiat picked up an injury just before half-time and the influential forward was replaced by Zuma. The score was 1-0 to Sundowns at the interval.
Chiefs threatened first after the restart as Castro attempted to curl the ball into the top right corner, but Onyango produced a magnificent diving save to deny his former Sundowns teammate.
Samir Nurkovic was introduced by Hunt just after the hour-mark and the Serbian marksman did make an impact in the game having given Chiefs some much-needed balance and confidence upfront.
The 28-year-old attempted to play a cross for Castro, but the ball took a wicked deflection off Lebusa, who netted an own-goal to make it 1-1 in the 72nd minute. The goal rattled Sundowns.
Chiefs were soon 2-1 up, in the 74th minute, when Njabulo Blom played a defense-splitting pass which sent Zuma through on goal and the speedy forward fired past on-rushing Onyango to hand the visitors the lead.
Mngqithi and Mokwena reacted by introducing Kermit Erasmus, Ricardo Nascimento and Aubrey Modiba with 11 minutes left on the clock with the hosts looking to snatch an equalising goal and preserve their unbeaten record.
However, Khune produced a fantastic finger tipping save to deny his Bafana teammate Erasmus in stoppage time to ensure that Chiefs ran out 2-1 winners over Sundowns on the day.
The win took Chiefs to eighth place on the league standings and they will get a chance to cement their place in the top eight when they face Chippa United on Wednesday.
Sundowns remain at the top of the standings – three points above second-placed AmaZulu FC and they are set to take on Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday.
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