Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated from the Telkom Knockout Cup after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Chippa United on Sunday afternoon, writes Dylan Appolis.
The Brazilians started off the better side and produced the first opportunity in the 10th minute when Thokozani Sekotlong looked poised to score, but Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi came to his side’s rescue when he collided with the striker to prevent his attempt at goal.
As a result, however, Sekotlong was forced off the field 10 minutes later due to a knock on his knee following his collision with Akpeyi, and he was subsequently replaced by George Lebese.
Mosimane’s side continued to dominate proceedings as the match went on, but were unable to penetrate the Chilli Boys’ defence as they went in search of the goal that would put them ahead.
Meanwhile, Chippa were forced to attack Sundowns on the counter, but were wasteful in possession, losing the ball in the middle of the park on numerous occasions.
Neither side could break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes of the match as the game went into the half-time interval locked at 0-0.
The visiting side had a chance to open the scoring in the 53rd minute after Hlompho Kekana unleashed a strike at goal, but the midfielder guided his effort across the face of goal.
Chippa eventually broke the deadlock nine minutes later when substitute Samuel Julies slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
The Chilli Boys nearly made it 2-0 in the 80th minute as Paseka Mako found himself with space in the area, but the left back took too many touches on the ball before being dispossessed.
Sundown pushed forward in search of an equalising goal in the closing stages of the match, but CHippa held on to their one-goal lead until the final whistle to advance to the next round of the competition.
In other Telkom Knockout Cup matches:
Baroka 1-0 Cape Town City
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix