A 78th minute strike from Siyanda Xulu handed Mamelodi Sundowns a win against Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sundowns were the first to put their name on the score sheet through the boot of Katlego Mphela in the 35th minute. A well taken penalty from Josta Dladla cancelled Mphela’s strike before Sundowns grabbed a winner with 12 minutes remaining on the clock.

The match played in wet conditions started on an electrifying pace with both teams looking at unsettling each other. It was the visitors, Mamelodi Sundowns though who created the first real opportunity of the game when in the 7th minute of the game, Katlego Mpela found himself one-on-one with Itumeleng Khune but the latter emerged and pulled a superb save.

Not to be outdone, Chiefs playing in front of 42 000 fans started causing problems with Abia Nale asking a lot of questions on the opposition’s defence.

Mphela who scored a brace in the first leg was in the thick of things once more with his header going just wide after being set up by Elias Pelembe.

Both teams had registered wins at the impressive World Cup Stadium and were looking at keeping their records in front of the passionate Durban fans intact.

It was Downs who threatened once more in the 25th and 27th minute with Luvhengo Mungomeni’s and Mabhuti Khenyeza’s strikes respectively going just wide.

In the 30th minute Abia Nale, following some neat exchanges between him and Siphiwe Tshabalala watched his well taken shot going just wide of Brian Baloyi’s goals.

It was Sundowns who broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Katlego Mphela rounded goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune before firing home from close range after he had intercepted a back pass from Tlou Molekwane.

Lawrence Molekwane, a right back was given a nod ahead of Punch Masenamela who started on the bench with Jhiaimu Jambo missing through suspension.

Referee, Jerome Damon awarded Chiefs a penalty in the 39th minute after Luvhengo Mungomeni was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the 18-area box. Josta Dladla made no mistake putting the ball on the right side of a diving Brain Baloyi to level the score at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

It was Josta Dladla’s third goal of the season and a first against his former team, Mamelodi Sundowns following a highly publicised switch in January this year.

Sundowns started brighter of the two sides with new signee, Franklin Cale’s shot going just over the bar following a pass from Mabhuti Khenyeza.

Substitute, Jose Torrealba who replaced Nkosinathi Nhleko in the 67th minute made an immediate impression when he did well to turn inside the box only to be denied by Siboniso Gaxa’s desperate tackle.

On the other side of the pitch as play swung from both sides, Captain Jimmy Tau combined with Tinashe Nengomasha to deny Franklin Cale who found himself with only Itumeleng Khune to beat, 1 at in the 70th minute.

Mamelodi Sundowns took the lead in the 78th minute when Siyanda Xulu, a product of Kaizer Chiefs development fired home from close range following a goal mouth scramble.

The Glamour Boys never gave up and continued to probe but the afternoon belonged to Mamelodi Sundowns who moved to three points behind leaders SuperSport United.

Kaizer Chiefs will have a chance to bounce back before Christmas break when they welcome AmaZulu at Loftus on Wednesday, 23 December 2009.

Chiefs: Khune, Tau (Capt.), Molekwane (Masenamela 46), Sweswe, Rooi, Nengomasha, Letsholonyane, Dladla, Nale, Nhleko (Torrealba 67)

Substitutes not used: Bartman, Isaacs, Masango, Sibeko, Motaung Jr.,

Technical Team

Vladimir Vermezovic (Head Coach)


Donald Khuse (Assistant Coach)


Rainer Dinkelacker (Goalkeeper Coach)


Martine Human (Team Physio)

Sundowns: Baloyi, Gaxa, Mdledle, Xulu, Mungomeni, Nyandoro, Patterson, Pelembe, Cale (Moriri 79), Mpela, Khenyeza

Substitutes not used: Marlin, Booth, Ngubane, Mmotong, Mere,

Technical Team

Hristo Stoitchkov (Head Coach)


Antonio Lopez Habas (Physical Trainer)


Saki Ngwevela (Physio)


Dr. Human (Doctor)

Match Officials

Jerome Damon (Referee)


Toko Malebo (1st Assistant)


Zakhele Siwela (2nd Assistant)


Yusuf Vawda (4th Official)


Ian McCleod (Match Commissioner)