David Mathebula © Backpagepix

The Brazilians certainly started the better of the two sides, with Diyo Sibisi the main threat early on for the Chiefs defence. Consequently, the first attempt on goal came courtesy of the Sundowns’ striker in the third minute of the match. However, his effort posed little danger as Itumeleng Khune held onto it easily.

That was as comfortable as it got for the Chiefs keeper who, again, displayed jittery hands while attempting to collect crosses; a problem which has plagued him the entire season.

Khune nearly paid the ultimate price in the fourth minute when he fumbled a relatively easy catch into the path of Robyn Johannes. The Amakhosi keeper made up for his blunder with a fabulous save to deny Johannes from claiming the opening goal with a fierce shot.

After the opening 15 minutes Chiefs seemed to awaken from their slumber, inspired by Josta Dladla who began attacking down the right flank with gusto and flair. Adding to the overall Amakhosi danger was the fact that Tinashe ‘the General’ Nengomasha started taking control of the midfield.

In the 22nd minute Khune fumbled yet another cross, but luckily for him there was no Sundowns player near by to pounce on his mistake. The Chiefs keeper, however, showed his brilliance once again 13 minutes later when he pulled off another fantastic stop from close range to deny Bongane Twala.

That was the last decent whiff the Brazilians got of the Amakhosi goal in the entire of the first half.

Then out of nowhere, Abia Nale came to life and scored the game’s opening goal six minutes before the break. Chiefs’ central midfielder, Nengomasha, found Nale with a beautiful through ball. The Amakhosi striker made no mistake in front of goal with a clinical finish from only ten yards out placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net, 1-0.

The second half saw Sundowns take control of the possession, but they continually struggled to break down the Amakhosi defence and create a decent goal scoring opportunity.

In fact both sides couldn’t really break down the opposing defences and were forced to shoot from long range to no effect.

The game ended 1-0 and Chiefs look to be back on solid ground in terms of their defence, having not conceded a goal in their last three league matches. The win will also secure Amakhosi’s place as third on the log.

Kaizer Chiefs (1) 0 (Nale 39’)

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0

Teams

Chiefs: Khune; Matle, Nahayo, Isaacs, Bhasera, Mathebula (Sibeko 86’), Nengomasha, Tshabalala, Dladla (Torrealba 65’), Motaung Jr, Nale (Zwane 82’)

Sundowns: Baloyi; Mere, Spencer, Johannes, Mpangase, Lentjies (Phala 61’), Twala, Gaxa, Mngomeni, Sibisi (Mmotong 80’), Mphela (Mbesuma 61’).