Spoils were shared at the FNB Stadium when Mamelodi Sundowns drew level in a 1-1 test against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday afternoon. It is a late goal from Cassius Mailula to level matters that helped Masandawana pick up a point in Soweto.
With injuries biting in, it meant it was a new look for the Brazilians, with Bathusi Aubaas making his return, Mkhulise starting and Siyanda Ndlovu making his debut in Brazilian colours.
The hosts created the first big chance of the game on the 7th minute but it went wide. Two minutes later, Sphelele Mkhulise fired a shot from the right flank on a tight angle but the ball went out.
Just after the half-hour mark, Khuliso Mudau made a delivery to Antonio van Wyk in the edge of the box. Van Wyk’s effort to fire the ball into the box was, however, cleared away by the hosts.
On the 40th minute, Amakhosi were awarded a free-kick after a foul by Kegan Johannes. The free-kick was connected with a header which was directed towards goal but Ronwen Williams caught the effort.
While both sides looked to get a goal in the final stages of the opening half, they went to the interval deadlocked at 0-0.
Upon the return of the encounter, the two sides continued the titanic tussle but no clear-cut chances were witnessed.
On the 56th minute, the Glamour Boys almost came close to finding the back of the net, following a one versus one against Williams but he smacked the ball and was cleared away.
After a long fight and a tight defence denying them space, Amakhosi found a rebound and squeezed in inside the box find the back of the net to open the scoring after the hour mark.
Bafana Ba Style looked to level matters inside 70 minutes as debutant, Siyanda Ndlovu dribbled past a defender on the right flank but the goalkeeper kicked the ball away.
Masandawana finally converted at 76 minutes, drawing level, thanks to Mailula’s glancing header. After a corner kick attempt that was cleared, Mudau found the ball and lobbed it into the box. Grant Kekana – who received Mudau’s ball – delivered it to Mailula who connected with the ball, heading it towards goal.
In an effort to find a late winner, substitute, Bennet Mokoena’s effort from range sailed over the bar, seeing the sides each claiming a point.
How we lined up: Williams (c), Mudau, Johannes, Kekana, Modiba, Mkhulise, Aubaas, Matthews, Allende, van Wyk, Leon.
Subs: Goss, Lunga, Mvala, GL. Kekana, Zwane, Mailula, Mothiba, Ndlovu, B. Mokoena.
