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Sundowns close in on eighth straight league title

football07 May 2025 19:27| © Backpage TXT
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Mamelodi Sundowns closed in on an eighth successive league title after defeating Chippa United 3-0 in a Betway Premiership match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Brazilians, who have 21 wins from 25 Premiership matches, are now just four points away from sealing the title – and that’s assuming nearest chasers Orlando Pirates drop no further points in their league campaign.

Miguel Cardoso’s side triumphed thanks to strikes from Iqraam Rayners, Jayden Adams and Thapelo Maseko.

In the process, they reached 57 goals for the season – a club record in a league campaign in the PSL era.

The Chilli Boys, meanwhile, remain in eighth place after a 12th defeat from 26 league matches.

They lead a group of five clubs (the others being Kaizer Chiefs, Marumo Gallants, Richards Bay, and Magesi FC) sitting on either 30 or 29 points, and scrapping over the final berth in the top half of the table.

Sundowns dominated possession early on, but had to be patient in terms of breaking down a disciplined and deep-sitting Chippa defence.

The breakthrough for the hosts arrived in the 29th minute, with Khuliso Mudau combining with Arthur Sales down the right flank, before playing in a low cross for Iqraam Rayners, who whipped the ball into the back of the net from close range for 1-0.

The second goal arrived 11 minutes later, with Chippa goalkeeper flapping at Teboho Mokoena’s free kick, and Jayden Adams gleefully turned home the loose ball for one of the easiest goals he will score in his career.

Chippa made a double change at the start of the second half to shake things up tactically, and they were close to pulling a goal back in the 56th minute, as Craig Martin charged down Denis Onyango’s attempted clearance, but he was unable to find the target with the subsequent loose ball.

Sundowns dialled up their attacking pressure as the second half wore on, and scored a third in the 81st minute via substitute Thapelo Maseko, who provided a crisp left-footed finish into the bottom corner of the net after being teed up by Sales.

Sundowns will return to league action on Sunday, 11 May with a match at home to Stellenbosch FC, while Chippa’s next outing is the return game against the Brazilians on Wednesday 14 May at the Buffalo City Stadium.

Mamelodi Sundowns (2) 3 (Rayners 29’, Adams 40’, Maseko 81’)

Chippa United 0

SUNDOWNS: Onyango, Mudau, Khoza, Lebusa, Modiba, Allende (Mkhulise 46’), Mokoena (Zwane 82’), Adams, Matthews (Maseko 64’), Sales (Morena 85’), Rayners (Ribeiro 64’)

CHIPPA: Nwabali, Sithole, Molaoa, Makhele, Ndlovu, Martin (Peters 86’), Tyongwana (Teto 72’), Khumalo, Madingwane (Philander 46’), Kwayiba (Maarman 72’), Eva Nga (Matrose 46’)

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