Mamelodi Sundowns moved to the summit of the DStv Premiership but missed several chances in their 2-1 win over Kaizer Chiefs at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was billed as the biggest clash of the season thus far – but it appeared to be men against boys as Sundowns strangled Amakhosi in the first half and forced them to chase shadows.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s opener, profiting from a horrific moment in defence for the visitors was the only goal of the half but it didn’t quite tell the full story as Chiefs struggled to string more than four consecutive passes together.
Reeve Frosler could probably hold his head up as he came out on top for the better part of his duels with the speedy Thapelo Maseko, who started for Aubrey Modiba and was a constant threat down his flank in the first 45 minutes.
But going into the break, Chiefs only 1-0 down was a positive with the chance to turn things around in the second 45.
After the break, Shalulile had brilliant chance to make it 2-0 after being set up by Ribeiro but he fluffed his chance from close range.
Chiefs had their first notable attack of the match in the 55th minute when a cross by Ashley Du Preez was met by a flying header from Ranga Chivaviro but Mothobi Mvala deflected it to a corner.
Shalulile had another great chance in the 66th minute after appearing free before Petersen, but the Chiefs goalkeeper denied the Downs striker with a superb save, before Maseko missed the target on the rebound.
Maseko found himself in a good position in the 75th minute, but Petersen came up with another great save, before denying Marcelo Allende on the rebound as well.
Chiefs made Downs rue those chances when Du Preez scored the equaliser in the 84th minute following a superb cross by substitute Tebogo Potsane.
But Sundowns had the last laugh, when Neo Maema beat Petersen, who fluffed the ball uncharacteristicly in the 90th minute of the game.
