Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns were made to fight hard and to sweat blood for their victories on Wednesday night.
Chiefs scored their first win in September following a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban while the Brazilians were also given a scare by Stellenbosch FC in Atteridgeville, until they came from behind to win the encounter 3-1.
Sundowns’ 100% record and perfect start to the season continues for the defending champions.
Chiefs started well and were in control of the match in the opening stages. They created numerous clear cut opportunities but they were not able to convert them into goals.
Like Edson Castillo when he stole the ball on the edge of the box and headed goalward but with only the goalkeeper to beat he drew a good save from the last line of defence.
Christian Saile also sprinted goalward in full speed but he could not control and guide his shot towards the goalposts as the effort went wide and begging.
As expected, Ashley du Preez’ pace troubled the Sekhukhune defenders and he was allowed to feed his strikers with crosses but they were not clinical on the day.
Chiefs’ misses allowed Sekhukhune to sneak in a goal on the stroke of half time via the boot of Ellias Mokwane, who pounced and caught Amakhosi lapsing in concentration with the clock ticking towards the recess break.
Du Preez continued with his menacing runs in the second half and he beat Daniel Cardoso for pace and the former Chiefs centre-back was left with no option but to apply a late, rough tackle on the flying winger and was shown a yellow-card.
Amakohsi equalised with a well-directed header by Castillo on the hour mark following a pin-point cross from Reeve Frosler.
Chiefs grabbed the winner from another header by Edmilson Dove, who was rewarded with the Man of the Match accolade on the night.
In Atteridgeville, Devin Titus stunned the home supporters when he opened the scoring after a rebound and rifled the ball into the net.
Grant Kekana levelled matters with a lob from a tight angle that flew over the head of Sage Stephens in the Stellies goals.
Aubrey Modiba increased the lead to 2-1 with what will be a contender for Goal of the Season, when he curled in a stunner in the top corner, leaving Stephens clutching thin air.
Sundowns then managed the game and kept the visitors at bay and away from creating discomfort for them at the back.
The 16-year-old Siyabonga Mabena made it 3-1 with a tap-in after Peter Shalulile unselfishly rolled the ball onto his path, making it a night to remember for the tiny-tot, who is now Sundowns’ youngest scorer in their history books.
The Brazilians have now stretched their points tally at the top of the league table to 24 after eight rounds of matches and have set a new record of going 32 matches unbeaten.
Golden Arrows are second with 14 points after seven matches while Chiefs have leapfrogged from number eight to number five with 11 points after eight games.
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