Sundowns Oust Chippa To Clinch Eighth Consecutive League Title

Mamelodi Sundowns overcame Chippa United 3-0 to secure their record-extending eighth successive championship in a Betway Premiership encounter at Buffalo City Stadium on Wednesday, thanks to a brace from Arthur Sales and Iqraam Rayners.

With one game to go, Masandawana picked up 70 points in 27 league outings, extending their gap over second-placed Orlando Pirates to 15 points. Meanwhile, the highest point tally the Buccaneers can reach is 67 as they have four matches remaining.

The match started with high intensity as the visitors made their intentions clear from the onset, as Rayners had a chance to break the deadlock in the opening seconds but fired wide, before Sinoxolo Kwayiba at the other end displayed his burst of pace, which forced a corner in the 2nd minute.

Rayners finally got it right as he gave the Tshwane giants the lead after twisting and turning to find the top corner in the 11th minute. Tashreeq Matthews had a sight of goal nine minutes later with his shot going over the crossbar after an excellent drop of the shoulder to evade the defenders.

The ex-Stellenbosch talisman, who made it 14 league goals and counting with his latest strike, linked up with fellow Betway Premiership golden boot chaser Lucas Ribeiro Costa, allowing the Brazilian to unleash a low drilled shot which Darren Johnson was equal to in the 21st minute.

A few moments later, Chippa had a rare opportunity to trouble Ronwen Williams in the Sundowns goal after a quick one-two amongst Kwayiba, Azola Matrose, and Giovanni Philander, with the latter finding the side netting in the 25th minute.

The Chilli Boys’ shot-stopper was called into action once again as he showed bravery, coming off his line to thwart danger from an on-rushing Rayners in the 31st minute, just before Matthews fired another shot into row-Z for a one-goal cushion at the break.

Ribeiro had a chance to double the lead as he pounced on a defense-splitting pass from Matthews, but lost his footing after a delicate first touch left Johnson helpless before Malebogo Modise cleared off the line in the 53rd minute. The Brazilian had a go once again two minutes later, with Chippa’s goalkeeper gratefully clutching the ball into his safe hands.

Miguel Cardoso withdrew Rayners and Ribeiro for Peter Shalulile and Arthur Sales in the 65th minute to inject fresh energy upfront. The South American striker scored six minutes after his introduction with his attempted cross catching Johnson off guard to end up in the back of the net off the post.

Sundowns continued to pose a threat with Thapelo Morena attempting an audacious volley that was wide off target on the farpost in the 72nd minute. On the other hand, Matthews got a chance to get his name on the score sheet, deciding to go on his own with his first shot on target, but was kept at bay by the Chippa goalkeeper as Downs walked away with maximum points.

Sales completed his hat-trick in the 89th minute when Darren Johnson’s attempted pass was intercepted by the Brazilian before finishing it off. It is Sundowns’ 15th league title in the PSL era and 18th overall.