Absa Premiership title race wide open after Mamelodi Sundowns beats Kaizer Chiefs
The Absa Premiership title race was blown wide open on Thursday after defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns edged league leaders Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in a top-of-the-table clash at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Sundowns went into the game in second place, three points behind Chiefs who were looking to strengthen their lead ahead of a tricky game against Bidvest Wits.
Sundowns had the better of the first half registering more possession and attempts on goal than the Chiefs.
However, it was Chiefs who nearly took the lead in the 13th minute through a swift counterattack but Bernard Parker failed to take a shot when bearing down on goal and he attempted a pass, instead, which was intercepted by the Sundowns defence.
Sundowns could have scored in the 21st minute but Gaston Sirino was wrongly flagged for offside and even so, the Uruguayan’s effort was kept out by Chiefs’ Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.
The deadlock was broken in the 34th minute when a Chiefs clearance fell to Sundowns and a sublime backheel from Themba Zwane released Sirino who side-footed the ball past Akpeyi.
The defending champions could have been two goals up just before halftime as Sirino, who showed great skill to get past Eric Mathoho, failed to round Akpeyi, or square the ball to a teammate, and the Nigerian gathered the ball.
Both teams began the second half brightly with Chiefs having the best chance of the opening exchanges as Kennedy Mweene tipped a shot by Parker onto the crossbar shortly after the restart.
Mweene was then quick off his line to snuff out a threat from substitute Dumisani Zuma and he also saved a dangerous shot before his defence managed to clear the ball.
Chiefs then had a let off in the 76th minute when an attempted clearance fell to Sundowns substitute Lebohang Maboe who blasted his shot against the post.
Chiefs defender Mathoho was then pushed up front to add an attacking threat and he nearly scored an exquisite equalizer in the 87th minute but his backheel was tame and Mweene easily gathered.
Sundowns, who appeared comfortable to defend their narrow lead, then weathered some pressure from the Chiefs to hold on for a vital victory.
Kaizer Chiefs still lead the table ahead of Sundowns, who are now level on 53 points with them but have an inferior goal difference of +21 to +16.
Supersport United is third with 47 points while Wits, who earlier on Thursday drew 1-1 with Bloemfontein Celtic, are fourth on 46 points.
