PORT ELIZABETH – Mamelodi Sundowns defeated a resilient Chippa United 1-0 in the DStv Premiership thanks to a late Peter Shalulile goal in the second half on Wednesday evening at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The reigning league champions made changes to their starting XI after the Tshwane derby loss to SuperSport United the previous week.
Masandawana called up Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala and Themba Zwane who all had a good game though they found an equally determined Chippa United.
Nevertheless, the growing pressure from the Brazilians allowed the Chilli Boys to sit deep on the low block and counterattack quite effectively.
Chippa goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua was finally beaten in the dying stages as Shalulile attacked a flick-on by Mvala following a corner and notched home the priceless goal.
There was late drama with Modiba dismissed by the referee in added time, but it mattered little as Sundowns emerged victors.
After the match, Mamelodi Sundowns co-manager Manqoba Mngqithi was unhappy with the match officials over the time added in the second half against Chippa.
“They’ve got a very strong team, we knew they were going to make our lives very difficult but we must still take a blame, for one, not taking our chances,” Mngqithi told SuperSport TV during post match interview.
“Because we got very good chances first-half but some of them they never even resulted in a shot at goal, the goalkeeper must also be given credit.
“But I’m also a little bit unhappy with what our officials are doing now! How many times the goalkeeper was down? How many substitutions were made second-half?” he quizzed.
