Peter Shalulile scored on his return to action as Mamelodi Sundowns made it ten straight wins in the DStv Premiership by defeating Chippa United on Tuesday night.
DStv Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 Chippa United
Date: 10 January 2023
Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Brazilians head coach Rulani Mokwena handed a recall to Rushine de Reuck in the defence after the win over Richards Bay, while Peter Shalulile was named in the squad for the first time since October.
Sundowns needed just 13 minutes to find the breakthrough when Teboho Mokoena bagged his first league goal of the season by nodding home Aubrey Modiba's free-kick.
Chippa managed to carve out a chance a few minutes later as Etiosa Godspower Ighodaro surged towards to the box before unleashing a low strike that forced Ronwen Williams into a low save.
The Chilli Boys had not scored in the their previous four league encounters, a trend that looked to set to continue as they were unable to cause any danger in the opposition box as the half went on.
Sundowns, meanwhile, dominated possession for most of the first stanza but were often let down by their final ball into the box, with Cassius Mailula not given many openings.
It was more the same in the early stages of the second half, which prompted Mokwena to introduce Shalulile, Gaston Sirino and Lesedi Kapinga in the 55th minute in place of Mailula, Domingo and Themba Zwane
Chippa responded by throwing on Ronaldo Maarman and Siphelele Luthuli for Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Andile Mbenyane for the final 30 minutes of the second half.
It was Sundowns substitutes who made the perfect impact, with Shalulile scoring on his return with a towering header from Sifiso Ngobeni's cross well-weighted cross.
Chippa were nearly gifted a way back into the side after an error in the box, Williams and Marcelo Allende popped up with some vital blocks in a chaotic goal-mouth scramble.
Sundowns were unable to claim an eighth straight clean sheet as Chippa pulled one back on 91 minutes when Maarman's cross was headed home by Thabiso Lebitso.
There would be no late drama at Loftus Versfeld as Sundowns were able to see out the remaining minutes to secure the win and move 13 points clear of second-place SuperSport United.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 32. Williams, 25. Mudau, 17. Modiba, 3. De Reuck, 34. Mvala, 4. Mokoena, 18. Zwane, 11. Allende, 21. Mkhulise, 23. Domingo, 33. Mailula.
Subs: 14. D.Onyango, 37. Ngobeni, 38. Shalulile, 15. Jali, 20. Kekana, 24. Mbule, 10. Sirino, 26. Saavedra, 22. Kapinga.
Chippa United: 1. Kazapua, 2. Mdunyelwa, 5. Pietersen, 33. Chabalala, 6. Poggenpoel, 7. Mbenyane, 10. Matrose, 14. Mkhize, 25. Kammies, 28. Lebitso, Ighodaro.
Subs: 32. Nwabali, 4. Banda, 36. Luthuli, 3. Ntsabo, 45. Mqokozo, 13. Conwood, 11. Mayo, 29. Kambidu, 17. Maarman.
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