Mamelodi Sundowns back on top but Kaizer Chiefs come unstuck at Siwelele

Marcelo Allende scored his fourth league goal on the last two months
Marcelo Allende scored his fourth league goal on the last two monthsPHILL MAGAKOE / AFP

Mamelodi Sundowns got back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Polokwane City in Seshego, while Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten run came to an end after a surprise 2-0 loss to mid-table Siwelele.

Sundowns return to the summit of the league but certainly did not have it all their own way on a difficult night, while Chiefs lost for the first time in eight games (W5 D2), though they remain on course for third place.

Here are the talking points from the two games.

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Allende on target again

Sundowns battled for an hour to break down Polokwane, but finally Marcelo Allende was able to find the back of the net.

Lebo Mothiba had only been on the field a matter of seconds when, with his back to goal on the edge of the area, he teed up the Chilean midfielder for his fourth goal of the league campaign, all of which have come in the last two months.

In his first three seasons in South Africa he scored two league goals in each campaign, so he has doubled that number this term.

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Oh Lebo …

Sundowns were awarded a penalty on 73 minutes and there was some irony about it. Khulumani Ndamane went down for an alleged high boot in the box, though contact looked minimal, if there was any at all. He gave away a penalty in similar circumstances against Stellenbosch FC last week.

Mothiba stepped up to take it, but it was a terrible effort as he tried a ‘Panenka’. It had such little power that Polokwane goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula had basically dived and still had time to readjust himself and save with his legs.

Mothiba has one goal this season, scored against Siwelele in December. Just put the ball in the back of the net without trying to be too cute. Polokwane may say it is poetic justice, given the spot-kick was dubious to start with.

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Potsane gets revenge

Siwelele made a bright start against Chiefs and had a goal disallowed for offside before they did take the lead in the seventh minute.

Chiefs keeper Brandon Petersen saved Manelisi Mazibuko's initial shot after the latter was left in acres of space in the box, before Tebogo Potsane turned the ball home from a tight angle on the follow-up.

It was a magic moment for Potsane against the club where it did not really work out for him over two seasons. He was released at the end of last season and snapped up by Siwelele.

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Jeza off the mark

It was 2-0 midway through the second half and it was no more than Siwelele deserved.

Chiefs gave away possession in midfield and Ghampani Lungu broke towards goal. He crossed for Siphesihle Jeza to score. It is the first goal of Jeza's professional career in just his third senior appearance and was well taken.

It is the first time Siwelele have netted two goals in a Betway Premiership game since early November.

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Where does this leave us?

Sundowns move back to the top of the Betway Premiership, two points ahead of second-placed Orlando Pirates, though the latter have a vastly superior goal difference. Both teams have now played 26 games.

What Pirates must hope is that they win their remaining four games and someone can hold Sundowns to a draw. The Brazilians take on Polokwane again on Sunday and then face Chiefs. Could Amakhosi do their bitter rivals Pirates a huge favour?

They remain five points clear of AmaZulu in third place with both teams having four games left.