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Sundowns edge Chippa to go level with Pirates

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Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana celebrates his goal with Themba Zwane

Mamelodi Sundowns survived a late scare to edge Chippa United 3-2 in their Absa Premiership encounter on Tuesday afternoon which saw Downs go level on points with table toppers Orlando Pirates.

Sundowns came into the game in the middle of a busy schedule due to their progression to the Caf Champions League semi-finals, with the first leg against Wydad Casablanca in Morocco set to take place on Friday evening.

Downs were looking to pick up a vital three points in the race for the Absa Premiership title and increase the pressure on their rivals Orlando Pirates, who are facing Maritzburg United on Wednesday evening.

Chippa, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back from their Nedbank Cup semi-final defeat from the weekend and were also desperate for points, but for entirely different reasons as they were aiming to steer clear from the dreaded drop zone.

After a scrappy start to the game, the away side drew first blood in the 25th minute. Mark Mayambela received the ball in the Downs box before turning midfielder Tiyani Mabunda and curling his shot past Kennedy Mweene into the top corner.

Sundowns looked to hit back quickly when captain Kekana let fly moments after his side went behind, but the midfielder had to watch his shot fly over the bar.

Pitso Mosimane’s men were dictating the play as Chippa began to sit deeper and deeper. This invited pressure on to the Chilli Boys box, and they were eventually made to pay three minutes before the break as Gaston Sirino picked out an unmarked Kekana in the box from a set play, leaving the Downs captain with a free header to level the scores.

Not long after Mayambela had given the visitors the lead, Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana had an opportunity to level matters, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.

1-1 at the break with Sundowns back in the game after a shaky start.

Chippa may have started the second half well, creating the first chance from a corner kick, but it was the home side who took the lead through Sibusiso Vilakazi with 56 minutes gone.

Tebogo Langerman picked out the Bafana Bafana international in the box with a driven cross, leaving Vilakazi with an easy finish.

Sundowns were well and truly in control as Sirino doubled their lead in the 68th minute. The Uruguayan picked the ball up at the corner of the box before firing his shot into the bottom left-hand corner from the angle.

The Brazilians then had a couple of chances to extend their lead further, but after being wasteful it was the away side  next on the scoresheet as they pulled a goal back five minutes before time when Rhulani Manzini made no mistake with his volley finish after being picked out at the back post.

Sundowns managed to hold on to the three points, though, despite a nervy finish at Loftus Versfeld stadium that saw them go level on points with Pirates at the top, although they still sit second on goal difference.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix