Date: 22nd February 2006

Venue: Loftus Versveld, Tshwane

In a game of two halves Chiefs let a one nil lead slip to eventually succumb to fellow title contenders Mamelodi Sundowns by three goals to one.

The Amakhosi spectacularly took the lead on the half hour mark when a ferocious David Obua free kick dissected the Sundowns wall and flew into the back of the net to give Chiefs the advantage. Sundowns launched a spectacular fight back as Josta Dladla first equalized and than a minute into the second half completed his brace, Surprise Moriri scored Sundowns third to round off an evening that could have been so different for Chiefs.

Chiefs started the game with a lot of purpose, and made their intentions clear on as David Obua sent a shot across the face of goal but Louis Agyemang and David Radebe were unable to connect. On eighteen minutes the Amakhosi once again squandered a great scoring opportunity as Louis Agyemang saw his initial shot save by Arendse, Radebe and Mototo on the follow up could not convert the chances that fell their way.

With all the possession and missed opportunities on got the feeling that if the tide were to turn Chiefs would rue their missed opportunities. As the chances went a begging David Obua did manage to turn one into a goal as he struck from a free kick to give Chiefs the lead after Louis Agyemang was felled on the edge of the Sundowns penalty area. The lead was short lived as Sundowns found a way back four minutes later when Dillon Sheppard sent in a cross from the left which was met sweetly on the volley by Dladla who struck the ball past Fernandez with the Chiefs defence ball watching.

Dladla proved to be the Amakhosi’s nemesis as he put Sundowns into the lead early in the second half, as Sundowns hit Chiefs on the counter attack to take the lead. Chiefs first real goal scoring opportunity came just after the hour mark when Louis Agyemang layed the ball of to Arthur Zwane who kicked the ball narrowly wide. As the game entered its last quarter Rowen Fernandez did his best to inspire his team mates with a spectacular save off an Esrom Nyandoro thunderbolt from distance.

Surprise Moriri killed off the game as a contest when he put Sundowns three one up with nine minutes to go with a well taken goal, Chiefs did have the chance to make the score more respectable. Cyril Nzama was unlucky as his injury time effort beat Andre Arendse, but he watched in horror as it rolled off the cross bar and was cleared by the Sundowns defence.

For Chiefs defeat against Sundowns can be termed as a major setback in their hunt to successfully retain their PSL crown, the Amakhosi must now pick up the pieces and prepare for Jomo Cosmos on Saturday. With Orlando Pirates dropping points Chiefs had the perfect opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table, the Amakhosi now return to their base outside Johannesburg to sleep on what could have been.

Line Up’s:

Mamelodi Sundowns: 1. A. Arendse, 3. E. Nyandoro, 19. B. Mhlongo,

66. D. Kannemeyer, 14. S. Moriri, 25. M. Manzini, 30. V. Mere, 9. J. Dladla,

29. D. Sheppard (12. Mazibuko 75 min), 16. S. Ndlovu (11. Ngwenya 88 min),

23. P. Ndlovu (4. Mendu 90+)

Substitutes: 18. R. Seneo, 11. M. Ngwenya, 77. R. Noble, 4. Jabulani Mendu,

69. S. Roberts, 20. R. Johannes, 12. C. Mazibuko

Kaizer Chiefs: 1. R. Fernandez, 21. P. Mayo (25. Schalkwyk 45min), 6. F. McCarthy, 4. C. Nzama, 44. S. Mkhonza, 8. T. Nengomasha, 33. D. Mototo, 18. A. Zwane (27. Sibeko 88 min), 13. D. Obua, 31. D. Radebe (10. Chalwe 75 min), 20. L. Agyemang

Substitutes: 30. T. Mathibe, 28. D. Spencer, 2. J. Tau, 25. G. Schalkwyk, 10. S. Chalwe, 27. G. Sibeko, 7. K. Motaung Jnr

Referee: A.B.Ebrahim

Assistant 1: L. Motela

Assistant 2: H. Radebe

4th Official: R. Sithole

Match Commissioner: Ian McLeod