Chippa United sent packing at Loftus

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Wednesday Apr 04, 2018. 21:51

Chippa United succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

Despite their bravery and resilience to find something out of the encounter, United lost and now sit at number 13 on the log table with 30 points from 25 league games.

On the part of the hosts, Sundowns scored through Percy Tau and Khama Billiat to consolidate the top spot on the log.

After a slow start for the hosts, the visitors enjoyed more time on the ball and had two corner kicks, but could not trouble Denis Onyango in the opening 10 minutes.

The Brazilians would start with their interchange of passes going forward and Sibusiso Vilakazi saw his well taken header not troubling Daniel Akpeyi in the 18th minute.

A minute later, the Chilli Boys penetrated the hosts, but Onyango read the danger and came out of his line to deny Linda Mntambo.

Mntambo nearly capitalised again when Wayne Arendse’s back pass did not reach Onyango, once again the Ugandan read the danger and made a superb save in the 28th minute.

Although it was a scrappy affair after the half-hour mark, Tau capitalised on a defensive error following a dangerous pass into the box - the striker pounced making it 1-0 in the 36th minute.

Sundowns went into the tunnel leading Vladislav Heric’s men.

However, Pitso Mosimane’s charges emerged from the tunnel with more fluidity in their game and Tebogo Langerman made a good run on the left flank to set up Vilakazi, yet Akpeyi made a wonderful block in the 54th minute.

Sundowns were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area after Billiat was brought down by James Okwuosa, but the Zimbabwean’s effort was swallowed by Akpeyi in the 67th minute.

With 16 minutes to go, substitute Mxolisi Macuphu came close to making an immediate impact when he unleashed a shot from range, but it sailed over Onyango’s crossbar.

Chippa were torn apart with 10 minutes to play when Themba Zwane teed up Billiat, who was on a run into the penalty area before easily slotting home past the oncoming Akpeyi, 2-0.

The Port Elizabeth-based side continued to probe for a goal and Onyango produced a fine save in injury time to tip it over the crossbar.

In the end, Sundowns held on to their lead as they remain at the log summit with 46 points from 24 matches.

Mamelodi Sundowns (1) 2 (Tau 37’, Billiat 80’)
Chippa United 0

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Ngcongca, Arendse, Nascimento, Mabunda, Vilakazi, Kekana, Sirino (T. Zwane 69’), Billiat (Manyisa 90’), Tau

Chippa United: Akpeyi, Mabaso, Okwuosa, Konqobe, Lentjies (Lentjies 77’), Mntambo, Sali (Macuphu 68’), Mako, Mayambela, Rakhale (Mbokoma 73’), Macheke