Kaizer Chefs were defeated 3-0 by Sundowns in their opening game of the 2020-21 season, as they opened up their DStv Premiership campaign. The game saw Sundowns take a first half lead through Peter Shalulile in the 37^th minute. Despite a sprightly start by Chiefs, there were two more goals in the second half from Kermit Erasmus and a late penalty from Themba Zwane to complete the scoring for Sundowns.

Three minutes into the game, a long raking ball down the right by Reeve Frosler saw him send Khama Billiat free on the flank. He was able to outsprint Motjeka Madisha and as approached goal, he unleashed a power shot on the volley, which looked goal bound and was prevented from giving Chiefs the lead by Sundowns keeper, Denis Onyango. He managed to get a touch to the ball as he pushed it over his goal for a corner.

In the 14^th minute, Itumeleng Khune who was making history becoming the first Chiefs player to feature in 14 league campaigns in the PSL era, did well to track back and clawed out a vicious curling shot from the right by Hlompho Kekana. The ball looked to be veering into his near post, but Khune did well to track the ball and push it out for a corner.

In the 22^nd minute, some good back tracking from Ramahlwe Mphahlele saw him make a near goal-line clearance. Khune had come out of his 18-yard area to deal with a through ball intended for Themba Zwane. As he cleared the ball, he knocked it straight to Peter Shalulile who lifted the ball over Khune and as it bounced towards an empty net. The Chiefs defender did well to get back and hack the ball away to safety.

Eleven minutes before the end of the first half Frosler sent in a telling ball from the right, which Lebogang Manyama managed to meet with his head, but his effort was unable to find the target and went wide of Onyango’s right hand up right.

Sundowns went ahead in the 37^th minutes when a corner from Rivaldo Coetzee on the left was sent towards the far post. Khune came for the ball but was unable to pluck it out of the air. The Chiefs keeper’s initial attempt to get to the ball were hampered by Zwane who was standing in his way. The ball fell onto the shoulder of Shalulile and flew over the head of two Chiefs players on the line and into the net to put Sundowns 1-0 ahead.

Sundowns led 1-0 at the break.

Coach Gavin Hunt made his first change when he brought out Willard Katsane for Njabulo Blom at the start of the second stanza.

Five minutes after the restart, some good work by Billiat down the left saw him cut the ball across the goal trying to pick out Leonardo Castro. As the ball fell to the Chiefs attacker, Coetzee managed to block Castro’s attempted shot on goal.

In the 53^rd minute, this time after connecting with a cross from the right, Castro’s glancing effort at goal was blocked by Ricardo Nascimento.

Sundowns build up from the back after the Chiefs attack broke down, which eventually saw Zwane and Erasums play a neat one two, ending up with Erasmus playing Zwane into his space. His initial shot was blocked by Khune, but the rebound fell back to Erasmus, who drove the ball home,to put Sundowns 2-0 up. This goal coming much against the run of play.

In the 64^th minute, Khune did well to save an effort from close range at the feet of Shalulile as he got down to make a neat save. Shalulile was cautioned after the action as he stopped Khune from getting an attack going and was yellow carded for his lack of gamesmanship. Four minutes later, a well-timed tackle by Daniel Cardoso saw him take the ball off Zwane as he had run clear in on goal and looked likely to score before Cardoso pick pocketed him.

In the 76^th minute, Billiat was denied at close range by Onyango as he stopped the Chiefs midfielder at close range after he had connected with a cross from the right. In the final minutes of the game, Khune upended George Maluleka and Zwane stepped up to take the resulting penalty and scored Sundowns third goal from the spot, sending the ball past Khune.

Chiefs’ second half substitute Keletso Sifama missed a gilt-edged chance deep into second half stoppage time, sending the ball wide of goal from close range, as Sundowns ran out 3-0 winners. Chiefs will now turn their attention to their next assignment a league game against Chippa United on Tuesday evening.

Soka25east.com