Colombian Leon helps Sundowns regain top spot in PSL

The South American substitute curled the ball into the net from a tight angle near the touchline after dispossessing goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, who had rushed out of his area.

Although looking likely winners throughout, Sundowns were leading relegation-threatened Chippa only 2-1 after 82 minutes in Pretoria.

Tashreeq Matthews then increased the lead with a well-placed close-range shot and Leon struck two minutes into added time.

Chilean Marcelo Allende and Iqraam Rayners scored in the first half. Sinoxolo Kwayiba then punished slack marking to halve the deficit before half-time.

Victory lifted defending champions Sundowns to 53 points, two more than Orlando Pirates, with eight rounds remaining in the richest African national championship.

Both title challenges have four home and four away matches to play in the tightest Premiership race for many seasons. Sundowns have won the last eight editions, many by wide margins.

Sundowns are also challenging for the CAF Champions League, a competition they have won in 2016. They face Esperance of Tunisia in the semi-finals with the first leg on April 12 in north Africa.

"Chippa may be hovering just above the relegation zone, but I knew it would not be an easy match. No Premiership game is," said Sundowns' Portuguese coach Miguel Cardoso.

"Insecurity crept into our play after conceding a goal that stemmed from a defensive mistake. We allowed the scorer to slip into vacant space.

"We are not thinking about the Champions League yet. We have a tough away match (at Durban City) on Tuesday and that is where our focus is."

Chippa coach Vusumuzi Vilakazi blamed his defence for the loss: "We had a plan but failed to implement it."