Chiefs fight back to hold champions Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns survived a late flurry of attacks from Kaizer Chiefs, as the PSL giants played to a 1-1 draw in the DStv Premiership at the FNB Stadium on Sunday evening.
Chiefs found themselves on the front foot in moments during the first 10 minutes of the game, as Leonardo Castro and Keagan Dolly linked up to create the first clear chance of the game.
As the 20th minute approached, a couple Chiefs and Downs players were on the end of a few rough challenges with Leonardo Castro being the first player to go into the book.
Moments later, Khuliso Mudau was shown the yellow card after blocking Khama Billiat from making progress down the Chiefs left flank.
In a moment of sheer brilliance, Bruce Bvuma denied Peter Shalulile his 23rd league goal of the season with a point blank save from a header.
As the half drew to a close, Sundowns found themselves applying pressure on the edge of the Chiefs penalty area. The Chloorkop side were awarded a couple of corners in the process however, they were unable to make the most of their chances.
Sundowns began the second half as the better team and managed to carve out a chance straight from the kick-off, with a glancing header from Themba Zwane going narrowly wide.
In the 48th minute, Gaston Sirino’s pin-point delivery from the right hand side of the pitch found the on rushing Aubrey Modiba inside the Chiefs penalty area, as he opened the scoring with a pin-point volley.
Downs continued to have more of the ball at the hour mark and continued to do so as the game went on. While not many chances were created by both teams during this time, the Champions were clearly more purposeful in possession.
Chiefs brought themselves back into the game in the 76th minute when Phathutshedzo Nange’s half volley on the edge of the Sundowns box crept into the bottom right corner.
In the 83rd minute of the game, the Glamour Boys were awarded a penalty after Mosa Lebusa appeared to have brought Kgaogelo Sekgota down in the area. Astonishingly, Reyaad Pieterse saved Keagan Dolly’s effort.
As the game came to a close, Chiefs threatened Downs with surging attacks however it was not to be as the South African football giants shared the spoils at the FNB Stadium.
Kaizer Chiefs: (0) 1
Mamelodi Sundowns: (0) 1
Chiefs: Bvuma, Ngezana, Mphahlele, Blom, Frosler, Alexander, Nange, Kambole (Nurkovic 73’), Castro (Sekgota 59’), Dolly, Billiat
Sundowns: Pieterse, Lunga, Modiba (Lakay 87’), Mudau, Lebusa, Mkhulise, Jali, Maboe (Ralani 87’), Sirino (Maema 78’), Zwane, Shalulile.