Kaizer Chiefs fell to their first defeat in fourteen league games as they went down 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership game at Loftus Stadium in Tshwane on Sunday afternoon, effectively putting paid to Chiefs title hopes.

Chiefs dominated proceedings but failed to make the most of their dominance, an fell behind in the 33rd minute of the game when Nyasha Mushekwi at a stage when they could have been in front.

Sundowns scored a second early on in the second half when Elias Pelembe powerfully connected with Katlego Mphela’s lay up from the left and scored Sundowns second.

Elias Pelembe swung in a corner from the right in the third minute Katlego Mphela got to the ball his initial shot was blocked, Pelembe stormed in and struck the ball powerfully at goal forcing Khune into making a save at his near post.

Chiefs were pushing forward and getting into dangerous positions in the early stages of the half, Mandla Masango was played in on goal on 12 minutes it took a brave tackle by Ngubane to stop him.

Seven minutes later Mthokozisi Yende pushed the ball delicately past the Sundowns into the path of Josta Dladla who found himself with just Wayne Sandilands to beat, he tried to slip the ball under the body of the keeper who managed to block the ball.

Chiefs continued with their offensive game and again the crafty Yende was involved playing Sthembiso Ngcobo into acres of space in the Sundowns danger zone, Method Mwanjale threw his body on the line to block the shot. This action taking place in the 28th minute.

Just past the half hour mark Chiefs best scoring chance of the half fell to Masango, it came after Tinashe Nengomasha had initially won the ball and hit to Masango stationed on the right side of the Sundowns 18 yard area.

Masango tried to curl the ball round Sandilans and instead sent his effort past the Sundowns keeper.

Soon after Chiefs were to rue their missed opportunites as Sundowns took the lead on 33 minutes, the Amakhosi did not clear their lines properly while defending, Teko Modise’s initial shot was blocked.

Mphela picked up the loose ball and played it out to Mushekwi with the Chiefs defence stretched the Zimbabwean international drove the ball home, to give the hosts the lead in the 33rd minute.

Seven minutes into the second half Mphela was able to push himself past Lucky Baloyi on the right, he lobbed the ball over to Pelembe who was lurking on the opposite end of the Chiefs penalty area.

He brought the ball under control before slamming it on the volley past Khune, beating the Chiefs keeper at his near post to double Sundowns advantage.

Two minutes later Ngcobo was denied a goal as his headed attempt at goal off a corner from the right by Masango was blocked on the goal line by Matthew Pattison.

Sundowns had the chance just before the hour mark to have scored a third goal, Mushekwi’s through ball caught the Chiefs defence off guard and Mphela found himself with just Khune to beat. He chipped the ball over the Chiefs keeper who came off his line to throw him off course and it worked as Mphela sent the ball wide.

Chiefs threw everything in attack as they went in search of a way back into the game, Nengomasha sought a way through with a drive at goal from distance and it took a full length dive from a Sandilands who was sprawled across the floor to get a hand to the ball and sent it out for a corner.

In the final minute of regulation tie Sandilands punched Dladla’s cross out and fell to Letsholonyane who hit the ball on the half volley and Saindilands back tracked and with a one hand managed to push the ball over his post.

In second half stoppage time Thomas Sweswe hit the ball wide of the mark a few yards from goal, after Musona had glided past four defenders to send the ball goal wards from the right.

That final opportunity summed up Chiefs afternoon as they fell behind in the title race.

Line Up’s:

Sundowns: 40. Sandilands, 32. Ferreira (29. Tshilo 90’), 33. Ngubane, 17. Mwanjale,26. Mkhwanazi, 19. Mdeldle, 6. Pattison, 7. Pelembe (24. Cale 77’), 8. Modise, 9. Mphela (4. Khenyeza 68’), 21. Mushekwi

Cautions: 19. Innocent Mdledle 25’, 7. Elias Pelembe 53’


Coach: Ian Gorowa

Chiefs(4-4-2): 32. Khune , 2. Tau, 3. Sweswe, 31. Masenamela, 35. Baloyi, 6. Letsholonyane, 8. Nengoasha, 9. Dladla, 22. Masango (14. Tshabalala 56’), 10. Yende (21. Musona 56’), 23. Ngcobo (11. Nale 63’)

Cautions: 8. Tinashe Nengomasha 69’, 32. Itumeleng Khune 74’, 21. Knowledge Musona 86’

Coach: Vladimir Vermezovic


Assistant Coach: Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse

Goalkeeper Coach: