The diminutive Khama Billiat, who had a hand in basically all their goals, was again at the sharp end of Sundowns’ charge. All of Sundowns’ goals came in the first half.
Leonardo Castro opened the scoring in the fifth minute after Billiat pressured the Chippa goalkeeper into a mistake. Billiat then set up Teko Modise four minutes before the break, before adding the icing on the Brazilians’ cake with a stunning strike on the stroke of halftime.
Sundowns are now five points ahead of second-placed Mpumalanga Black Aces, who could only manage a 0-0 draw against Jomos Cosmos on Tuesday night. Sundowns are also seven points clear of third-placed Bidvest Wits, who host Platinum Stars on Wednesday night.
Castro scored one of the easiest goals of his career to open the scoring. With Billiat all over him, Chippa goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi thought it would be a good idea to try and control the ball and passing it out of defence. However, his pass could only find Castro, who put the ball away with ease.
Billiat was a constant threat out wide – on the left and on the right flank. And he found Modise with a lovely delivery from the left wing. The Sundowns playmaker’s first shot was well saved by Akpeyi, but Modise slotted the rebound home while sitting on his backside.
Billiat, though, saved the best goal for last. He cut inside beautifully from the right side, before unleashing a ripper with his left foot that left Akpeyi with absolutely no chance of saving it.
Chippa, who came from behind to beat Ajax Cape Town on Sunday, had a great chance in the 46th minute from a corner. Andile Mbenyane swung the ball in from the right by-line for David Zulu to have a crack at goal. But unfortunately for Chippa, Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango caught the ball.
Billiat’s only blot on his report card came in the 48th minute when he missed in front of an open goal after some lovely interplay by Keagan Dolly and Hlompo Kekana.
After that, Sundowns took their foot off the pedal and gave players like Billiat and Kekana a bit of a break ahead of Sunday afternoon’s trip to Free State Stars.
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
