Kaizer Chiefs held Mamelodi Sundowns at bay in a tight first half, but the tables turned dramatically in the second half as the Brazilians surged forward to clinch a commanding 5-1 victory, claiming their seventh consecutive PSL title.
The encounter started with both teams seeking early momentum, yet decisive opportunities were scarce. However, the game took a significant turn in the 19th minute when Chiefs’ Given Msimango received a straight red card for a foul on Lucas Ribeiro Costa, leaving Chiefs with 10 men.
Despite Sundowns’ dominance and numerous scoring chances, Chiefs’ goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma stood firm, denying the Brazilians any breakthroughs. The first half ended with the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0.
After the break, Rhulani Mokwena’s Sundowns came out with renewed energy, swiftly breaking the deadlock through Tashreeq Matthews in the 52nd minute. Just four minutes later, Matias Esquivel’s deflected shot extended Sundowns’ lead, putting Chiefs under more pressure.
Matthews added his second goal in the 81st minute, with Sundowns’ third goal seemingly sealing the victory. However, Chiefs managed to pull one back through Mduduzi Shabalala’s penalty.
Yet, Sundowns continued their dominance, with Ribeiro and Thembinkosi Lorch adding two more goals to secure the 5-1 win. This victory marked Sundowns’ seventh league title, with six league matches still to play, while Chiefs currently sit in the eighth spot on the PSL standings.
Matthews, a recent addition from the January transfer window, showcased his talent with a brace and an impressive performance against Amakhosi.
Although some may argue that Msimango’s challenge on Ribeiro was a tactical move to prevent a goal, his resulting red card left Chiefs at a disadvantage early in the match.
Looking ahead, Amakhosi will have a brief respite before their next PSL encounter against TS Galaxy on Tuesday, May 7th. Meanwhile, Sundowns face a tough test in their Nedbank Cup semi-final clash against Stellenbosch at Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday, May 5th.
Main image: X @Leezo60
