Mamelodi Sundowns proved too strong for Chippa United as they claimed a 4-1 win in the Betway Premiership match played at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Friday night.
The victory elevated Masandawana to the top of the standings - two points clear of second-placed Orlando Pirates. Coach Miguel Cardoso's side will open a five-point lead if they claim their ninth successive league win against Durban City on April 7.
The Chilli Boys, on the other hand, remained 13th in the standings - two points above the relegation zone. The Eastern Cape side will be determined to snap their five-match winless run in the league when they play host to Siwelele FC on April 7.
Masandawana came out firing on all cylinders against Chippa United, dominating the opening stages and drawing first blood in the 21st minute. Marcelo Allende continued his fine form by slotting home his fifth goal of the season, calmly converting Nuno Santos’ assist to give the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead.
The Brazilians refused to ease off, and in the 37th minute, they extended their advantage. Iqraam Rayners pounced to make it 2-0, netting his 15th goal across all competitions - and his 11th in the league - after Katlengo Ntsabeleng picked him out with a precise pass.
However, Sundowns’ defensive lapse right before the interval allowed Chippa United back into the contest in the 39th minute. Sinoxolo Kwayiba ghosted into the box and finished smartly from Azola Matrose’s delivery, pulling a goal back to make the halftime score 2-1.
Bafana Ba Style get the job done and secure all 3️⃣ points 🔥
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 3, 2026
Mamelodi Sundowns (21’ Allende, 37’ Rayners, 84' Matthews, 90+2' Leon) 4️⃣➖1️⃣ Chippa United (39’ Kwayiba)#Sundowns #BetwayPrem #AreyengMasandawana pic.twitter.com/mziyTQ6HXd
The Chilli Boys introduced attackers Somila Ntsundwana, Justice Figuareido and Bienvenu Eva Nga after the break in search of an equaliser, but Tashreeq Matthews struck in the 83rd minute with his fifth goal of the season to restore Sundowns’ two-goal lead.
Substitute Brayan Leon then sealed the result with his eighth goal of the campaign, calmly finishing off a Tashreeq Matthews assist from a tight angle in stoppage time as Sundowns cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Chippa on the night.
Brayan León, what was that? 🤯
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 3, 2026
The Super Sub wraps it up in style for Masandawana 🟡💫#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/yzwhcRPdo8
Sundowns (2) 4 (Allende 21', Rayners 37', Matthews 83', Leon 90'+2)
Chippa (1) 1 (Kwayiba 39')
Sundowns: Williams, Mdunyelwa (Mudau 64'), Kekana, Cupdio, Modiba (Lunga 64'), Adams, Allende, Ntsabeleng (Mokoena 76'), Santos (Zwane 46'), Matthews, Rayners (Leon 84')
Chippa: Msibi, Madingwana, Majadibodu (Mauchi 86'), Mobara, Sam, Kammies (Mfecane 59'), Mosele, Konqobe, Modise (Figuareido 46'), Matrose (Ntsundwana 60'), Kwayiba (Eva Nga 59')