Mamelodi Sundowns completed the double over Kaizer Chiefs after securing a 1-0 in the Betway Premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Betway Premiership
Result: Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 01 March 2025
Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Chiefs made two changes from the big loss to SuperSport United, as Edmilson Dove came in for his first appearance of the season in place of Bradley Cross while Mduduzi Shabalala replaced the suspended Gaston Sirino.
For Sundowns, Jody February was in goals for a third successive game as Ronwen Williams remains out injured while there recalls for Khuliso Mudau, Asekho Tiwani and Malibongwe Khoza in defence.
It proved to be quite an open game in the early stages of the first half, but Chiefs should have opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Reeve Frosler pulled the ball back for Shabalala, who blazed over target from close range.
However, Chiefs were forced to make a change on 25 minutes when striker Tashreeq Morris was forced off with an injury and replaced by Ashley du Preez, who moved upfront.
With the game seemingly headed goalless at the break, Sundowns broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval when Lucas Costa Ribeiro superbly collected a pass from Iqraam Rayners before unleashing a superb volley.
The visitors were a little more dominant on the ball after the halftime break, with Shabalala seeing a bit more of the ball in a more free role but clear-cut chances were still hard to come by.
Sundowns nearly doubled their lead after the hour mark when Bruce Bvuma could only parry a cross into the path of Teboho Mokoena, unleashed a low strike but the Chiefs goalkeeper showed good reflexes to keep out the effort.
With time running out, Chiefs responded with a triple change on 78 minutes as Dillon Solomons, Mfundo Vilakazi and Njabulo Blom replaced Reeve Frosler, Thabo Cele and Pule Mmodi.
Even with the changes in the second half, Chiefs were unable to find a way past February as Sundowns held on for the victory and clean sheet.
Here's how they lined up:
Mamelodi Sundowns: 36. February, 25. Mudau, 31.Tiwani, 42. Khoza, 32. Suarez, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 44. Adams, 10. Ribeiro, 9. Rayners, 38. Shalulile.
Subs: 50. Tshabalala, 5. Lebusa, 13. Lunga, 27. Morena, 15. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 33. Maseko, 17. Matthews, 9. Sales
Kaizer Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 39. Frosler, 84. Miguel, 14. Dortley, 2. Dove, 8. Maart, 21. Cele, 42. Shabalala, 13. Mmodi, 40. Morris, 99. Lilepo
Subs: 1. Petersen, 25. Msimango, 48. Cross, 18. Solomons, 6. Blom, 22. Matlou, 9. Du Preez, 7. Chivaviro, 28. Vilakazi
