Teboho Mokoena got his first goal for Mamelodi Sundowns, as they moved 17 points clear at the top of the DStv Premiership table as they beat a ten man Chippa United 2-0 at the Loftus Stadium on Monday night.
It was the first league match of 2022 after the January Afcon break, and the only fixture scheduled for this week, with Nedbank Cup action resuming on Wednesday.
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Chippa United
A chance from Bienvenu Eva Nga in the eighth minute went just wide of Kennedy Mweene’s goal, while Peter Shalulile’s header four minutes later was off target. Themba Zwane went wide in the 16th minute.
Chippa were reduced to ten men when Siphesihle Mkhize, who is on loan at Chippa from Sundowns, was shown a straight red card in the 23rd minute for a foul on Thabiso Kutumela.
Aubrey Modiba’s goal-bound volley was deflected wide in the 33rd minute, while Rashid Watenga pulled off an excellent save to deny Shalulile three minutes later. Kutumela was wayward with attempt in the 37th minute.
But after some good pressure Sundowns were in front, Andile Jali’s shot which look to be going wide, deflected off Sandile Mthethwa and left Watenga stranded, and thanks to the own goal, it was 1-0 in the 43rd minute.
Sundowns thought they had a penalty just before half-time, after a ball clearly struck Roscoe Pietersen’s hand, but referee Philangenkosi Khumalo waved play on, and at the break it remained 1-0.
The ten men of Chippa tried to find a way back into the game and Eva Nga went over with a header in the 52nd minute. Meanwhile Kutumela’s effort three minutes later at the other end was deflected wide of goal.
Sundowns were awarded a dangerous free kick in the 58th minute, but another Kutumela effort was deflected behind. Two minutes later Rushine De Reuck’s header was comfortably saved by Watenga.
Kutumela went wide again in the 65th minute, and a minute later Rivaldo Coetzee was also off target. At the other end Siphelele Luthuli tried from range but his 68th minute effort was high and wide.
A few minutes after coming on as a sub, Gift Motupa caused problems with an attempt from an acute angle, but Watenga handled the situation.
The Ugandan goalkeeper made two great saves in the 73rd minute, first from a long range attempt from another substitute Gaston Sirino, and then to deny Shalulile on the follow up. Eva Nga meanwhile had a great chance a minute later to equalise, but Mweene got down well to block the shot.
Chippa should have equalised in the 81st minute after an excellent counter attack by Riaan Hanamub set up Luthuli with a golden chance to score, but Mweene made an excellent save to deny the former Royal AM player.
Teboho Mokoena, who came in with Motupa and Sirino for the final twenty minutes, shot over in the 85th minute. And two minutes later Mokoena had his first goal in Sundowns colours, as his shot took a deflection off Pietersen to beat Watenga and make it 2-0.
It was a league debut goal for Mokoena, who had also got a brief run in Friday’s win in the Nedbank Cup.
The result sees Sundowns increase their lead at the top of the table, and they are now 17 points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates.
