Marcelo Allende was first to score, finding the net in the 21ste minute after catching Chippa goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi off-guard. Chippa almost levelled matters at the half-hour mark from a set-piece effort on the edge of the box. The effort, however, was smacked away by Ronwen Williams.

Seven minutes later, Iqraam Rayners doubled Sundowns’ lead with a header off a pass from Katlego Ntsabeleng.

Visitors

The visitors finally found their first goal when they beat the Downs defence, courtesy of Sinoxolo Kwayiba, to halve the deficit before half-time.

With a few minutes left of regulation time, Tashreeq Matthews made it three for Downs with a beautiful supply from substitute Teboho Mokoena inside the area. The match was summed up by substitute Brayan Leon, who scored in the 92nd minute.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Brayan Leon. Photo: Facebook

This is the Brazilians’ ninth successive league win, and they have opened a two-point gap over Orlando Pirates in the process.  Eight rounds remain in the Championship.

After the match, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said his side was never going to rest on their laurels against Chippa.

"Chippa “may be hovering just above the relegation zone, but I knew it would not be an easy match. No Premiership game is.”

“Insecurity crept into our play after conceding a goal that stemmed from a defensive mistake. We allowed the scorer to slip into vacant space. We are not thinking about the Champions League yet. 

“We have a tough away match (at Durban City) on Tuesday, and that is where our focus is.”

Both teams will have a very short recovery time and will be back in action on Tuesday (7/4), when Sundowns travel to Chatsworth Stadium to take on Durban City, while Chippa will host Siwelele at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg