Mamelodi Sundowns resumed DStv Premiership action with a 2-0 win over Chippa United on Saturday evening.
Bafana Bafana’s Aubrey Modiba, Divine Lunga and Thembinkosi Lorch were restored by the Brazilians, with Grant Kekana, Abdelmounaim Boutouil and Themba Zwane on the bench.
Sundowns hit the front on nine minutes as Teboho Mokoena rushed onto a loose clearance from a corner and slammed in the bottom-corner -leaving Stanley Nwabili rooted.
Despite the momentum, Masandawana were guilty of misplaced passes which nearly worked against them as Eva Nga raced onto the end of one involving Bongani Zungu but Ronwen Williams palmed.
Masandawana soon regained the momentum and missed a golden chance to go two up when Peter Shalulile guided a low cross by Lorch well beyond the near post.
Chippa’s coaching duo Thabo September and Kwanele Kopo made a substitution just after the half-hour mark where Brooklyn Poggenpoel came off for Siphelele Luthuli.
After the halftime period, Sundowns came close to a second following a lofted dink from a tight angle by Lucas Ribeiro Costa but Nwabili palmed over.
It was the Brazilian’s last participation as he pulled a hamstring and made way for Zwane before Sipho Mbule replaced Modiba and Gaston Sirino hauled in ahead of Shalulile.
Zwane got a solid chance to get on board from a quick passing move after the Chilli Boys lost possession, but he uncharacteristically fired wide.
Nwabali, who was amongst the stars at the Africa Cup of Nations, couldn’t continue around the remaining ten minutes and had Lloyd Kazapua come on.
Sundowns continued to dominate and doubled the lead when substitute Tashreeq Matthews raced onto a through pass to tuck in the near post.
Mokoena could’ve had a brace in added time when he lined-up for a free-kick, but Kazapua made a smart save as the clash finished 2-0.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mdunyelwa, Lunga, Lebusa, Modiba, Mokoena, Zungu, Allende, Lorch, Ribeiro, Shalulile
Subs: D.Onyango, Kekana, Morena, Mbule, Maboe, Matthews, Zwane, Sirino, Esquivel
Chippa United: Nwabali, Chabalala, Kammies, Kwayiba, Nhlapo, Makhele, Martin, Mosele, Mahlatsi, Poggenpoel, Eva Nga
Subs: Kazapua, Molaoa, Mqokozo, Kambindu, Majogoro, Konqobe, Pietersen, Mbenyane, Luthuli
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