The Soweto giants were without Ashley du Preez and Lehlogonolo Matlou, as Arthur Zwane recalled Cole Alexander and Njabulo Blom after the win over Maritzburg United.
Sundowns handed stars to Andile Jali and Gaston Sirino following the surprise defeat to TS Galaxy, as Haashim Domingo and Thabiso Kutumela dropped to the bench. While a certain Bongani Zungu was unveiled to the fans before the match started.
Sirino justified his re-call six minutes in as South America pounced on Siyabonga Ngezana’s horrible back-pass to poke the ball beyond Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma.
The poor start for Ngezana and Chiefs continued as Sundowns were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute for the defender’s foul on Peter Shalulile, who calmly slotted home the spot-kick to double the lead.
When Chiefs did get their foot on the ball, they had to wait until the 31st minute for a clear sight on goal as Alexander fired into the side-netting on 31 minutes before Yusuf Maart blasted over the crossbar from just inside the box five minutes later.
Sundowns, meanwhile, struggled to carve out chances after going ahead in the early stages as Zwane’s troops took control in the middle of the park with Maart seeing a lot of the ball.
Zwane responded with a double change at the start of the second half, as Njabulo Ngcobo replaced Ngezana while Kgaogelo Sekgota came on for Alexander.
Chiefs should have reduced the deficit five minutes into the second half when Dillon Solomons’ cross found its way to Reeve Frosler, who somehow blazed wide from six yards out.
The visitors were made to rue that Frosler miss as Sundowns extended their lead two minutes through a sweeping finish from Shalulile after an impressive counter-attack.
Sekgota’s pace was proving to be an issue and it paid off on 54 minutes when he won a penalty after being fouled by Teboho Mokoena. Billiat stepped up but had his spot-kick saved by Williams.
Sundowns did get some bad news on an otherwise positive day, as the influential Andile Jali was stretchered off with an apparent hamstring injury. He was replaced by Sphelele Mkhulise.
Despite the loss of Jali, the hosts went on to grab a fourth goal in the 76th minute as Abubeker Nasir opened his account for the club with a brilliant individual goal to wrap up a good win.
Here’s how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Modiba, Mudau, B. Onyango, De Reuck, Mokoena, Jali, Zwane, Sirino, Shalulile
Subs: D. Onyango, Morena, Lebusa, Mkhulise, Kapinga, Nasir, Lakay, Domingo, Kutumela.
Kaizer Chiefs: Bvuma, Solomons, Ngezana, Kwinika, Frosler, Blom, Sithebe, Maart, Alexander, Dolly, Billiat
Subs: Petersen, Nj. Ngcobo, Nange, Mashiane, Sifama, Radebe, Nk. Ngcobo, Sekgota, Shabalala
source – soccerladuma
