Mamelodi Sundowns once again failed to close the gap on Kaizer Chiefs after playing to an entertaining 2-2 draw against Maritzburg United on Friday evening.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane made wholesale changes from loss to Cape Town City, as he welcomed back Anele Ngcongca, Ricardo Nascimento, Motjeka Madisha, Andile Jali, Jose Ali Meza and Lyle Lakay while youngster Promise Mkhuma got a rare start.
The Brazilians took the game to Maritzburg early on and came close to opening the scoring in the 16th minute after Nascimento had a free header at the back post from a dead-ball situation but his effort bounced on the top side of the crossbar.
Masandawana eventually got the opener 10 minutes later Hlompho Kekana side-footed’s strike deflected off Rushine De Reuck and wrong-footed Richard Ofori after some good work by Sirino.
However, the Team of Choice levelled matters six minutes later after as Madisha’s failed clearance landed at the feet of De Reuck, who side-footed home from close range for his first-ever professional goal.
Sundowns almost restored their lead five minutes before the break after Sirino latched onto a low cross by Meza with a first-time strike inside the box that missed the corner agonisingly wide as the first stanza ended all square.
The Brazilians had a dream start in the second stanza after they were awarded a penalty three minutes from the break for a handball by Nazeer Allie just inside the box, which allowed Nascimento to slot home and restore his side’s lead.
United found the equaliser just before the hour-mark after Thabiso Kutumela carved a pocket of space just outside the box and curled a superb strike beyond goalkeeper Denis Onyango into the far bottom corner.
Tinkler’s men came close to taking the lead in the 64th minute after Judas Moseamedi met Tebogo Tlolane’s cross with a glancing header in the centre of the six-yard box that missed the far corner by a whisker.
Sundowns should have restored their lead four minutes later after Lakay delivered a hard and low cross towards the far post that found Ngcongca unmarked but the right-back somehow passed the ball straight at Ofori.
The Brazilians were reduced to ten men in the last 20 minutes after Nascimento picked up a second booking for bringing down Kutumela, who was racing clear a goal-scoring opportunity.
However, neither side had momentum in the closing phase to claim the win as the spoils were shared on the night, with Mosimane’s men now sitting five points behind Chiefs.
In Other News – 5 people arrested for allegedly targeting house of murder suspect in Limpopo
They will make their first appearance at the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Five suspects have been arrested for allegedly targeting the family of 23-year-old Maano Maphula who is alleged to have murdered two women because he believed they had bewitched him.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, the five – aged between 23 and 38 – were arrested by officers from Thohoyandou in the early hours of Friday. continue reading
Source – SoccerLaduma
