Late, but Chabangu comes to party

SuperSport United(0) 0

Mamelodi Sundowns(0) 1

Chabangu 76

For a while, in this highly entertaining Tshwane derby, it looked as if Mamelodi Sundowns striker Lerato Chabangu was going to fire blanks forever.

He was the main culprit when the Brazilians had failed to score on countless occasions where they managed to open the SuperSport United defence, but he saved his best for later.

As the game went over the half hour mark, Brazilians supporters lost their patience with the highly-rated national Under-23 star as he missed glorious inviting opportunities, but he answered them and the coach Angel Cappa with a well-taken header to beat outstretched United 'keeper Calvin Marlin.

The goal came as a result of a neatly-built move, started deep in the midfield by Esrom Nyandoro, who made a telling run before releasing Peter Ndlovu on the right wing to dip in a calculated cross that was met by a diving Chabangu to beat Marlin.

Sundowns were clearly the better side, with neat passes, but it was their finishing that let them down on occasions as they lacked the killer punch to finish off the opposition.

This victory went a long way to seeing Cappa register his maiden victory over United in his third attempt and at the same time refresh their chances of finishing the season on second spot - if Kaizer Chiefs are to suffer a collapse in their remaining games.

United coach Pitso Mosimane seemed to have done his homework properly, going into this game, as he deployed man-marker Siboniso Gaxa to keep a close eye on dangerous Sundowns left winger Siaka Tiene.

An injury to left-back Tsietsi Mahoa, just before half-time, forced Mosimane to make technical changes to his rearguard by taking Gaxa across to the left and introduce midfielder Edward Williams at right-back.

Earlier in the game, United survived a second minute scare when Marlin's clearance rebounded off Ndlovu, but the 'keeper recovered in the nick of time to clear for safety.

Sundowns were on the attack in the 14th minute when Chabangu's cross was fumbled by United defender Phil Evans in the path of Tiene, whose close- range effort was deflected by Marlin for a corner kick that was easily defended.

As the game gained momentum, Sundowns dominated proceedings with some neat interchanges and flowing football as they went for the opener, but lacked ideas when arriving in the United goal area.

Teams

SuperSport United: Marlin, Katza, Evans, Mahoa (Williams 46), Gaxa, Tsabedze (Klate 60), Mahlangu (Khoabane 46), Sibeko, Rantjie, Ndlela, Raselemane

Mamelodi Sundowns: Arendse, Rammile, Bianchi, Seneo, Manzini, Nyandoro, Tiene, Sapula, Masehe (Sebona 78), Ndlovu, Chabangu

Cautions: Sapula 45, Nyandoro 62, Moriri 90