Samir Nurkovic scored twice as Kaizer Chiefs cemented their place at the top of the Absa Premiership table with a 2-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday.
Nurkovic struck as early as the seventh minute and again late in the second half as Amakhosi inflicted a first defeat of the season on Sundowns and moved five points clear of their opponents in the PSL standings.
Amakhosi made the perfect start to the top of the table clash as Nurkovic bundled in Reeve Frosler’s left-footed cross from the right that beat all Sundowns’ defenders and made it’s way to the far-post where the striker put the ball in the back of the net.
Masandawana started to dominate possession and controlled proceedings with Ali Meza and Sibusiso Vilakzi having fruitless efforts on goal.
The home team should have equalized in injury time in the first half but Andile Jali missed a glorious chance.
A a good run into the penalty area from Vilakazi saw the former Wits players tee up Jali, who was free, but the midfielder blazed his shot over the cross-bar.
Sundowns introduced forward Mauricio Affonso after the interval and the striker introduced another dimension to the home side’s attack.
Meza had a snap shot tipped over the cross-bar by Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi while Affonso had an effort saved as Sundowns kept the pressure on.
Close to the hour mark, Sundowns again threatened the Chiefs goal but a magnificent piece of defending by Njabulo Blom kept the scores level as the defender cleared desperately when Meza looked odds-on to hit the back of the net.
Going into the final 20 minutes, Sundowns threw more players into attack and that left them vulnerable at the back and the Soweto giants capitalised as Nurkovic completed his brace in the 78th minute.
He smashed home into the roof of the net after Khama Billiat was denied by some last-ditch defending.
The Serbian could have had a hat-trick but headed over the cross-bar of Kennedy Mweene after 82 minutes.
Sundowns kept coming forward in the hopes of a late comeback with Gaston Sirino, who was lively throughout the game, having a header saved late on.
Chiefs held on though to keep a clean sheet and earn a vital three points against the defending league champions.