Sundowns survive Chippa scare
A first half goal from Welcome Qalanto was cancelled out by a second half strike from Wayne Arendse as Chippa United held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
All the early pressure was coming form ‘Downs as they controlled the possession stakes and passed the ball around the park immaculately.
Still despite, their utter dominance on the ball the Brazilians were unable to really create clear-cut chances in front of goal. Instead, that final shot or pass lacked the quality of the build-up play.
Themba Zwane did have an early sight on goal, though, when a swift passing movement on the edge of the box saw the Sundowns man find space 16-yards out, but he fired high and wide of the target in the fourth minute.
The next chance on goal came in the 14th minute from a set-piece for the away side.
Veteran, Esrom Nyandoro, who hasn’t found the back of the net in two and a half years, struck a 35-yard thunderbolt which went inches wide of the target.
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Then on the half hour mark, very much against the run of play, after Sundowns controlled 60 percent of the possession, Chippa took the lead from a well-worked set piece.
The ball was whipped into the box from a free-kick on the left side of the box and Welcome Qalanto rose highest at the front post to skilfully head home from six-yards out, 1-0.
Sundowns were shocked by the goal and tried to fight their way back into the match. Nonetheless, despite their continued dominance they went into the halftime break trailing by a goal.
The second 45 saw a wave of yellow attack the Chippa goal, but still, despite over 75 percent possession, the Brazilians struggled to find an equalising goal.
Nonetheless, Sundowns continued to attack and second half substitute, Teko Modise, came close to finding that equaliser in the 67th minute when he saw his 25-yard shot strike the crossbar.
Two minutes later, though, the Brazilians did find the goal they so desperately wanted and perhaps deserved.
Wayne Arendse rose highest at a corner-kick to powerful head home from eight-yards out to level matters, 1-1.
Sundowns continued to press forward, but the Chippa defence held firm as the two teams shared the spoils.
Chippa United (1) 1 (Qalanto 30’)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Arendse 69’)
Teams
Chippa: Kassaly; Moonsamy, Mvalo, Okwuosa, Tomanyane, Siwahla, Sali (Bovu 73’), Cohen (Ngothani 85’), Twala, Qalanto, Risser (Idrissa 75’)
Sundowns: Sandilands; Mabaso, W. Arendse, Mwanjale, Langerman, Laffor (Henyekane 46’), Nyandoro, Zwane, Pelembe, Mphela (Rodgers 87’), Mushekwi (Modise 61’)
