Draw disappoints Downs

League now looks set to go down to the wire

THERE were four goals at the end of this share of the spoils between Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

But, in all honesty, there was nothing thrilling about it.

As a result of this lukewarm 2-2 draw, Sundowns have lost their solid two games in hand advantage and have now played an equal number of matches with the rest of the teams in the league with the run-in looming.

After last night’s matches, which included a late kick-off between Wits and Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg, all the teams in the league have played 26 matches and appears that the title race will go down to the wire.

It does not get any easier for the Brazilians as they hit the road to Orlando Stadium on Sunday for a difficult assignment against unpredictable Pirates, who are looking to cement a top-eight place.

After Pirates, Sundowns have relegation-threatened Baroka FC and hugely improved Maritzburg United, and then they round off their season with another potential banana skin in the form of Highlands Park in their remaining matches.

For Stars coach Cavin Johnson, this is another disappointing result as they have now gone six matches without a win and they remain in eleventh position with only four points separating them and bottomof-the-log side Highlands Park.

Their run-in is also not easy as they have Highlands Park, Maritzburg United, Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United in their remaining matches, which will decide if they stay league.

During the match, Sundowns opened the scoring in sixth minute through defender Thabo Nthete, who pounced home a loose ball in the six yards area after Stars failed to clear Percy Tau’s corner kick.

Stars equalised in the 26th minute through Ndumiso Mabena’s brilliant solo effort where he punished the sloppy Sundowns defence that allowed him too much space to control the ball in the box.

The former Pirates striker maintained composure to beat a few Sundowns defenders before slotting the ball past stranded Sundowns ‘keeper Dennis Onyango.

As the first half continued, both teams continued to create chances but the limelight fell on match official Chris Harrisson who infuriated Sundowns supporters with some of his questionable decisions.

Mabena broke through on the left flank after he received a through pass from the midfield to beat Onyango on the near post to leave Lucas Moripe Stadium in complete silence a few minutes before the hour mark as he registered his brace.

In the 63rd minute, Yannick Zakri watched in disbelief as his close range header was parried away for safety by Stars ‘keeper Mbongeni as Sundowns upped the tempo for the equaliser.

He got it right a minute later when he a scrambled home past Mzimela from Anthony Laffor’s header that originated from a throw in by Motjeka Madisha on the right hand side of the field.

In the closing stages Stars defender Sphamandla Mlilo received a red card and a Sundowns free kick on the edge of the box as they settled for the share of the spoils.

● Bidvest Wits, may look back at the past 10 days as when they clinched their first title in their 96- year history.

After last night’s clinical 1-0 win against Orlando Pirates through substitute Cuthbert Malajila’s 57thminute winner at Bidvest Stadium, they just might.

Wits muscled out a Pirates who had lost one league and cup game in 11 under new coach Kjell Jonevret to now have a three-point lead at the top over Sundowns.

This is a league season of swirling fortunes and it seems destined for the tightest of finishes. But with four games to go for the two top teams, it is advantage Wits.

When you reach this killer stage and have players falling out, it is good to have solid performers like Malajila and midfielder Ben Motshwari hitting a stride.

Along with a fine coach in Gavin Hunt, structure, gameplan, guts and an ability to win the big matches, Wits have what it takes to become the champions. — TMG