Sangweni goal gives Sundowns win

A powerful second half free kick by Thamsanqa Sangweni broke the deadlock and gave Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win in Tshwane over Absa Premiership new boys Chippa United.

Sangweni, making his League debut for The Brazilians, took advantage after Gift Sithole conceded a free kick on the edge of the danger area in the 71st minute.

With Teko Modise also standing over the set piece, Sangweni took it quickly and drove his effort past the wall ad into the far corner.

Mamelodi Sundowns started the match with Esrom Nyandoro playing in defence, a position he has played in for Zimbabwe’s national team recently.

With Clayton Daniels out for the match and Siyanda Xulu on trial in Russia, Nyandoro stepped in to add experience to the backline while new signing Sangweni did duty in midfield.

Sangweni was making his League debut for Sundowns along with Abel Mabaso and Edward Manqele.

In the seventh minute Chippa goalkeeper Abduraghmaan White did very well to keep out Hlompho Kekana’s deflected shot with his foot while all of his body weight was going in the other direction.

Then in the 26th minute Modise slipped a pass through to Edward Manqele, but White made a very good save and Lebohang Mokoena could not do anything with the rebounded attempt.

Sundowns went close in the 41st minute when Mokoena showed a good first touch to control a cross, before he turned and flashed a right-footed shot across goal, looking for the far corner, but he was just off target.

It took until the 54th minute for Chippa to get their opportunity on goal. Andile Mbenyane got some real power behind a shot as he beat his marker on the edge of the area, but his attempt was saved well by Wayne Sandilands.

Sundowns made two changes on the hour mark. First Johan Neeskens brought on debutant Eleazar Rodgers for Hlompo Kekana and then Anthony Laffor for Lebohang Mokoena.

White mades another very good save in the 60th minute when he parried the ball out for a corner after Tebogo Langerman fired in a powerful, low drive.

In the 65th minute Manqele got another chance for the opening goal when Punch Masenamela whipped in a cross, but Manqele could only chest the ball goal wards with little power and had to watch it trickle past the upright.

Sundowns did not play very well on the night, but will be happy with the points against a determined Chippa United side who could not any of their foreign players because of paperwork and administration delays.

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Sangweni 71’)

Sundowns: Sandilands - Mwanjale, Mabaso, Nyandoro, Masenamela – Mokoena (Laffor 61’), Sangweni, Kekana (Rodgers 58’), Langerman - Modise, Manqele

Chippa: White - Kubheka, Sithole, Ntombayithethi, Matomane – Bovu (Ntshingila 75’), Sali, Mnguni, Shumana (Tomonyane 56’) – Ngebo (Qalanto 75’), Mbenyane

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