Mamelodi Sundowns racked up a fourth successive win at the start of the new DStv Premiership season after they defeated Chippa United 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday evening.
The 2023-24 league campaign is only just over two weeks old, but already the Brazilians (who have won the last six league titles in succession) hold a five-point lead at the top of the log, albeit having played a game more than nearest chasers SuperSport United.
Sundowns’ victory in Gqeberha was secured by a strike from Aubrey Modiba and an own goal from Justice Chabalala. As for the Chilli Boys, this defeat adds to three draws and leaves them in 12th place on the log.
Sundowns offered up the first threat on goal five minutes into the match, with Teboho Mokoena letting fly from long range and calling Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali into a save.
The match then settled into a pattern of possession dominance for the visitors, though they lacked the pace and precision to open up the hosts’ defence, with Nwabali not called on to make any further significant saves in the opening half hour.
The Brazilians persevered, however, and were rewarded in the 36th minute: Themba Zwane turned on the edge of the box and provided a brilliant pass to put Aubrey Modiba in on goal, and the wingback finished emphatically with his left foot to make it 1-0.
And the champions doubled their advantage in the 40th minute, with Lucas Ribeiro Costa’s shot-cross from the left of the penalty area directed into his own net by Chilli Boys defender Justice Chabalala.
Ribeiro Costa almost scored a third goal in spectacular style on 44 minutes, whipping a great left-footed effort from a free kick which had the beating of Nwabali but thundered off the upright.
Chippa had a great chance to pull a goal back just as the game entered injury time at the end of the first half, with Luvoyo Memela teeing up a close-range opportunity for Ronaldo Maarman, but the latter was brilliantly denied by Ronwen Williams.
The ‘Downs shot-stopper made another fine save on the cusp of halftime, turning away a goal-bound header from Chabalala to keep his team 2-0 up heading into the break.
The home side made a double change at the start of the second half, with Sirgio Kammies and Thabiso Lebitso introduced to sharpen up their attack, and they almost found the net just before the hour mark via a sweetly-hit volley from Maarman which flashed just over the crossbar.
The Brazilians used the full depth of their bench to field the likes of Bongani Zungu, Junior Mendieta, Neo Maema, Terrence Mashego and Bathusi Aubaas, and they succeeded in taking the sting out of Chippa’s momentum in the second half, ensuring a comfortable victory.
