Goals from Ntando Nkosi, Bennet Mokoena and Thulani Zandamela saw the Mamelodi Sundowns Diski Team see off the Chippa United Reserves 3-1 on a rainy Saturday morning at the Sturrock Park Stadium in Johannesburg.
The visitors didn’t have a great start to the match as the referee was forced to point to the spot two minutes into the game, following a foul in the box on Chippa United. The Downs’ goalkeeper, Zakhele Shabangu was however, able to block the ball to deny them an early goal.
Despite the Chilli Boys having dominated the opening minutes of the match, it is Masandawana who opened the scoring through the captain, Nkosi who had been looking to put his side in the lead. The ball came from Sipho Ngqakabana who managed to break the line, handing it to Nkosi. With no defenders on sight, Nkosi put it past the keeper.
This was a confidence booster for them after a sluggish start as another big chance was seen again from Nkosi. He went for the farpost which looked like he was going to make it two, but the Chippa defender cleared the ball with his backfoot.
Having had looked for more goals, the second goal came just before the break to give them a two-goal advantage. It was Mokoena who netted the goal from a tight angle, tucking it in behind the goalkeeper, to close off the first stanza.
A few minutes into the second half, Bafana Ba Style would dominate Chippa’s box, but Chippa were quick with the retaliation and soon snatched the dominance, creating more chances to get back in the game.
The visitors began to crack under pressure and started making mistakes which Chippa were capitalising on. Eventually, a goal came from Chippa after miscommunication by Masandawana in the box. The ball hit the crossbar and was guided into the box to make it 1-2. Two more clear-cut chances came from Chippa but Shabangu denied them an equaliser with impressive saves.
This may have rattled the Brazilians because they started to pick up their pace and got back in the game. They knew a goal was important to extend their lead. Malibongwe Khoza tried to make things happen for his side but the chance went over the bar.
After continuously knocking on the door, a third goal came in the closing minutes, from substitute, Zandamela, who returned to his scoring ways. It was another assist from Ngqakabana to conclude the proceedings.
How they lined up: Shabangu, Mampane, Khoza, Nkabinde, Mtyali, Nkosi ©, Masisi, Kekana, Siquba, Mokoena, Ngqakabana.
Subs: Biyela, Mto, Jodamus, Booysen, Zandamela.
