The visitors entered Chiefs' home ground having suffered two heavy defeats - a 4-1 drubbing by neighbours Supersport United and 3-0 humiliation by relegation- threatened Hellenic last week.

Under the guidance of assistant coach Shane McGregor, Sundowns looked out of depth and form as Chiefs capitalised on the territorial advantage and outplayed them in every department.

Chiefs alway looked like they would score and when the Sundowns defence crumbled, the expected happened when Cryil Nzama headed in a cross from Jabu Pule in the 38th minute.

It took substitute Alex Bapela to save the Pretoria-outfit another embarrasment when he converted a rebound from Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi who had cleard Daniel Mudau's attempt in the 72nd minute. Bapela came on for Joel Masilela.

Sundowns' first clear chance was in the 5th minute after a blunder by Chiefs' Marco Mthembu when Sibongakonke Ndlovu was in possession. He beat Chiefs defence and Baloyi but he was denied by the post.

In the 20th minute Chiefs' Shaun Permall squandered a chance to score first after Pule laid in a neat pass, but the lanky striker fell inside the box and allowed Matthew Booth to clear.

Complimenting his team-mates who were showing the form which won them four cups throughout the season, Chiefs goalie Baloyi did well when he blocked a potential goal from Lovers Mohlala.

In the second half, it was the same story. Chiefs fans were cheering as Amakhosi' domination over the Brazilians continued and could have added a couple of goals if Tlale and Booth had not lifted their game.

In the 50th minute, Permall unleashed a powerful header but Tlale was equal to the task.

The few times that Sundowns did manage to go into Chiefs' dangerzone, they could not break down the hosts' stubborn defence mended by Nzama, Gary Goldstone and Patrick Mabedi.

However, after Bapela's goal Sundowns built up confidence and started attacking more, but waisted all the opportunities they created with the main culprit being the normally-reliable captain Mudau.

Chief's substitute Kelvin Mushangazhike who replaced Justice Sithole was unlucky not to have registered his name in the scoresheet.

The young Zimbabwean who was playing only his second game for Amakhosi became the spark in the midfield and stole the limelight from Pule.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: Baloyi, Nzam, Mthembu, Mabedi, Goldstone (Mabotsa, 80),

Kannemeyer (Maselesele, 82), Mooki, Mbuthu, Pule, Permall, Sithole

(Mushangazhike, 68)

Sundowns: Tlale, Manzini, Schoeman (Mbele, 64), Booth, Mohlala, Shai,

Kampamba, Nunens, Masilela (Bapela, 57), Mudau, Ndlovu (Naruseb, 73)

Referee: Petros Mathabela