“The Colombian Curve” – Leon’s Impossible Angle Goal Caps Off Sundowns’ Five-Star
Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed top spot in the Betway Premiership with a commanding 4-1 victory over Chippa United at Loftus Stadium on Friday night, highlighted by a sublime late goal from Brayan León.
León’s strike came in the dying minutes after Chippa goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi failed to clear a pass from Tashreeq Matthews, allowing the Colombian forward to bend the ball into an empty net from an acute angle. The goal took his tally to five since arriving in the January transfer window.
The win moved Sundowns two points clear of their title rivals Orlando Pirates, taking them to 53 points from 22 matches, while Pirates dropped to second place having played the same number of games.
With neither side showing signs of dropping points, the title race is shaping up to be a fierce battle, where any slip could prove costly after a gruelling season.
Sundowns were eager to bounce back after a 2-0 away defeat to Stade Malien in the CAF Champions League, although the result was still enough to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Chippa, meanwhile, arrived at the match struggling for form, sitting 13th on the table with just 20 points from 22 games. They were desperate to move further away from the relegation zone and were also chasing their first-ever league win over Sundowns.
The match began with both teams searching for an early breakthrough, but Sundowns dominated possession while Chippa sat deep in a low block.
Marcelo Allende opened the scoring in the 20th minute for the Tshwane giants after receiving a pass from Nuno Santos, turning neatly before finding the back of the net.
Chippa’s defensive lapses nearly cost them again two minutes later when Tsiki Ntsabeleng tried his luck from long range, but his effort went wide.
Sundowns continued to press and were rewarded in the 36th minute when Ntsabeleng delivered a superb cross for Iqraam Rayners, who headed home to make it 2-0.
Rayners, recently left out of Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad for the friendlies against Panama, took his tally to 11 goals for the season.
Chippa responded almost immediately, with Sinoxolo Kwayiba pulling one back a minute later to reduce the deficit to 2-1 going into halftime.
The second half saw the Chilli Boys grow in confidence, and they nearly found an equaliser in the 54th minute when Justice Figuareido fired an effort from outside the box, but it sailed over.
Keanu Cupido came close to extending Sundowns’ lead in the 73rd minute, his header bouncing just over the crossbar from a corner.
Sundowns eventually made their pressure count again in the 82nd minute, with Matthews adding a third goal to put the result beyond doubt.
León then had the final say, producing a sensational finish from a tight angle to cap off an impressive night for Sundowns, who have now won nine out of nine league matches in 2026.
