Peter Shalulile's last-gasp winner gave Mamelodi Sundowns a 1-0 win over Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Sundowns began on the front foot and threatened in the fifth minute. Shane Poggenpoel brought down Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba curled the free-kick over the wall but Chippa goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua was equal to the task.
Chippa were playing with five defenders and getting plenty more behind the ball as they looked for opportunities to break on the counter-attack.
In the 14th minute Sundowns almost doubled their lead when playmaker Teboho Mokoena was released clear on goal but had his effort smothered by Kazapua.
Ten minutes later Neo Maema had a go from the left hand side but his shot deflected kindly into the path of the keeper and then on the half-hour mark Mothobi Mvala struck a low and hard effort which went just wide of the mark.
Heartbreak for Chippa United, Daine Klate and their fans as Peter Shalulile scores a late winner to hand Sundowns all three points 🤯 pic.twitter.com/P6Ho7wNrKi
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 7, 2022
The Brazilians continued to dominate proceedings after the break and Maema’s long-range strike five minutes after the interval grazed the top of the crossbar. Shalulile then connected with Modiba’s cross with his head and his attempt bounced just wide of goal in the 55th minute as the visitors continued to be frustrated.
Soon after, Chile international and new Downs signing Marcel Allende turned and drove into the box before firing a low shot which was saved in the corner of the goal.
If you didn't lose your voice celebrating that Peter Shalulile goal then I don't know what to tell you 😭#DstvPrem #Sundowns #BabizeBonke pic.twitter.com/vlGrMr1Qzq— 🆈🅴🅻🅻🅾🅼🅰🅽𓃵 (@YellowM23654784) September 7, 2022
Time was running out and the champions were growing more and more exasperated. It looked as if it just wasn’t their day when Modiba’s free-kick was saved onto the crossbar and away to safety.
However, just when it looked as if they would have to settle for a share of the spoils, they found the crucial breakthrough. Modiba’s corner was flicked on by Mvala for Shalulile to volley home and steal the three points.
