Kaizer Chiefs lost to Mamelodi Sundowns on Thursday night at the Orlando Stadium and the Chloorkop side is now level on points with the log leaders, Amakhosi.
The win for Sundowns has reignited real hope for Pitso’s men to retain the Absa Premiership title, with only three games for both teams and the six-goal difference between the log leaders.
Though, the Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the first half of the game which also led to Gaston Sirno breaking the deadlock for Sundowns at the 34th minutes with a clean strike into the bottom corner after a back-heel from Themba Zwane sent him clear on goal.
Ernst Middendorp, Amakhosi head coach made a triple change in the second half by introducing Khama Billiat, Dumisani Zuma, and Anthony Akumu which brought a lot of difference into the game. Sundowns built a defense wall in the second half as Mosimane made a double change by taking of Zwane and Sirino for Lebogang Maboe and Andile Jali.
The game ended with so much joy at the Chloorkop side as they begin to prepare to defend their title while the log leaders also continue to manage the pressure at the top.
The two coaches spoke to SuperSport TV about the games and they both shared their views on the games also.
“Before we went down to 1-0, we had two clear chances, one against the goalkeeper. We didn’t make it, we didn’t pick it up. Then we got caught on the counter,” the German tactician told SuperSport TV.
“We changed the formation. Changed the setup. Brought in players. I think in the second half it was 80/20 possession. We were consistently in their half. One mistake, one counter on the other side.
“We had possibilities in the second last minute, it was just a tap in with a header and then it was going to be at least 1-1. We were more dynamic in the middle of the park in the second half.
When looking ahead to the weekend’s clash against Bidvest Wits, he added, “It doesn’t matter who you play. If you play Baroka, Bidvest, Black Leopards. There is no easy game as we have seen in the past. It should not have happened today but good, we know why.”
Although Mosimane believes him were able to suppress Amakhosi’s strength
“Two different halves hey. We made it too difficult for ourselves in the first half. I think Anele [Ngcongca] should have scored or crossed the ball over there and Gaston [Sirino] faced the goalkeeper, he didn’t know what he wants to do,” Mosimane told SuperSport after the match.
“Those two moments, those are goals hey. That’s where we made it difficult. Okay, unlucky [for] Lebo [Maboe] there [towards the end], he should have scored, the score could have been different. But we survived.
“We responded to what the question was and what was the question? To launch? Because they always launch. They launch all the boys inside there, so if the ball is launched and they put [Eric] Mathoho there, we’ll also put people who can take the ball out.
“And if you close the sides because they want to cross from the sides, then it’s okay. [Anthony] Akumu or whatever the guy in the midfield, can have the ball and also [Yagan] Sasman will launch it. We managed to deal with their strengths, which are aerial balls that need to launched, balls that need to be crossed, corner-kick that they have been traumatizing the whole league, we dealt with them and that’s it. What else? There was nothing else on this game, what’s that?”
Here’s how the sides lined up:
Chiefs: 40. Akpeyi, 18. Moleko, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 20. Sasman, 31. Katsande, 25. Parker, 46. Sifama, 39. Frosler, 21. Manyama, 7. Kambole.
Subs: 44. Bvuma, 11. Billiat, 6. Baccus, 2. Mphahlele, 5. Agay, 30. Ngezana, 22. Zulu, 28. Zuma, 37. Ngcobo.
Sundowns: 1. Mweene, 16. Ngcongca, 7. Lakay, 5. Lebusa, 2. Madisha, 40. Coetzee, 21. Mkhulise, 8. Kekana, 10. Sirino, 18. Zwane, 23. Meza.
Subs: 30. Pieterse, 26. Makgalwa, 17. Mahlambi, 13. Mabunda, 11. Vilakazi, 6. Arendse, 33. Maboe, 4. Langerman, 15. Jali.
