Kaizer Chiefs © Gallo Images

A goal from Bernard Parker and an own goal through Bangaly Soumahoro handed Kaizer Chiefs a 2-1 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in an Absa Premiership contest at FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.

Following the victory for the hosts, they now occupy the second spot on the log standings with 39 points from 22 matches in their league campaign.

For the Tshwane side, Khama Billiat is the man who netted in the opening half for the defending champions.

The opening stages of the encounter saw Pitso Mosimane’s men dominating proceedings, but there were no clear cut chances at either end of the park.

Just after the ninth minute, Tiyani Mabunda received a wonderful pass from Soumahoro in the box, but the midfielder’s header went over goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune’s crossbar.

It was an end-to-end affair, with the battle intense in the heart of the park as both sides aimed to dominate the encounter.

Steve Komphela’s men pushed forward in the 17th minute, and an excellent ball from Simphiwe Tshabalala into the box from a set piece saw Erick Mathoho’s header going just wide with Sundowns defence beaten to the ball.

In the 22nd minute, Parker showed his class with a brilliant header on goal but it lacked power as keeper Kennedy Mweene collected easily.

However, four minutes later, Billiat scored for the Brazilians with a powerful shot which deflected off Lorenzo Gordinho to beat Khune.

Despite trying to dominate, Sundowns succumbed to pressure as Parker beat Mweene on his near posts in the 34th minute following a wonderful piece of skill by Edmore Chirambadare down right flank.

It was 1-1 at halftime.

Upon their return from the tunnel, Amakhosi showed signs of danger as Parker took a shot which went narrowly wide off Mweene’s top corner in the 52nd minute.

Three minutes later, Themba Zwane wasted a wonderful chance from Fares Hachi’s delivery on the left, Percy Tau initially received the ball before setting up Zwane whose shot disappointingly went over the crossbar.

Right on the hour mark, Zwane beat Mathoho in the box and set himself through on goal, but he failed again to beat oncoming Khune.

With 12 minutes to go, the African champions succumbed to pressure as Soumahoro scored an own goal trying to play a back pass to Mweene.

Chiefs were all over their visitors and two minutes later; substitute George Lebese nearly made it 3-1 after turning Tebogo Langerman, but his curling shot missed the far post with only Mweene to beat.

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Khune, denied his national teammate, Hlompho Kekana from a well struck set piece – which was goal bound as the keeper tipped it over the woodwork – in added time.

In the end, though, the Amakhosi held on for all three points to the delight of those who filled the stands.

In the wake of the defeat, Pitso Mosimane’s side remain at No 5 on the standings with 34 points from 18 league matches.

Kaizer Chiefs: (1) 2 (Parker 34′, Soumahoro 78′ og)

Mamelodi Sundowns: (1) 1 (Billiat 26′)

Kaizer Chiefs: Khune, Mphahlele, Mathoho, Masilela (Cardoso 85′), Gordinho, Katsande, Maluleka, Molangoane, Tshabalala, Parker (Paez 76′), Chirambadare (Lebese 60′)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Mweene, Soumahoro, Nascimento, Hachi (Langerman

This article was sourced from the PSL website.