Kaizer Chiefs beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 to end their unbeaten league record this season at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
Gavin Hunt’s team had Samir Nurkovic missing from the starting XI while Nkosingiphile Ngcobo also missed out, but Philani Zulu and Leonardo Castro were restored back to the line-up. For Sundowns, Namibian striker Peter Shalulile, Siphelele Mkhulise, and Rushine de Reuck all missed out.
The first real chance of the game came after Git Motupa won a corner. Lyle Lakay delivery fell to Lebohang Maboe in the area but his volley went over the crossbar.
In what was a low-key start to the game, the next real opportunity of the game came in the next half hour. Lebogang Manyama won the ball back in midfield and sent a lovely ball to Khama Billiat in the box but the forward’s chest down for Castro was blasted over by his forward partner.
After the pressure, it was the Brazilians who took the lead five minutes from the halfway mark of the game. Maboe exchanges passes with Zwane and then found Sirino unmarked in the area, who fired home from a tight angle after rounding Itumeleng Khune.
Gavin Hunt had to introduce Dumisani Zuma for Billiat who picked up a knock before the break, putting the possibility of a Chiefs’ comeback in major doubt.
Action did not get going early in the second half but after introduced top striker Nurkovic for Manyama in the second half, things began to open up.
First, Sirino cut inside from the left and went on a mesmerizing run beating some challenges before teeing up Maboe, but the latter’s first touch allowed the defenders the chance to clear.
Nurkovic restored parity just nine minutes after coming on. Frosler won the ball around the centre of the park and played a pass into Nurkovic’s path, whose cross was deflected into the back of the net for the game’s leveller.
Less than two minutes later, the comeback was complete for the visitors. Njabulo Blom played gorgeous through ball with the outside of his foot to substitute Zuma who slotted past Onyango to hand Amakhosi the lead for the first time.
The Brazillians could not find a way back into the game despite the host of changes made as the Amakhosi won just for the second time in 12 legaue games.