Mhango grabs late draw for Birds
Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 2-2 draw by Moroka Swallows in a DStv Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium last night. Teboho Mokoena and Marcelo Allende scored for the defending champions before Augustine Mahlonoko and Gabadinho Mhango secured a late draw for Swallows.
Just when it looked like Sundowns were heading for another routine win, Swallows equalised through Mhango under controversial circumstances late in the match to secure a point and complete the comeback.
Masandawana were largely untroubled for the better half of the game. The Dube Birds were cautious and offered very little going forward in the first half. They were better in the second stanza and troubled the Tshwane side who were sloppy in possession on numerous occasions.
Sundowns who are now on 53 points hold a 14-point lead at the top of standings ahead of second-placed Stellenbosch FC. As expected, it was defence versus attack in the first half with the home team getting behind the ball.
Their plan to frustrate was working to some extent until Mokoena found space on the edge of the area to unleash a powerful strike that gave Swallows goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi no chance seven minutes before the break.
Mokoena’s joy turned into despair moments later as the Bafana Bafana midfielder signalled to the bench to be substituted with what looked like a hamstring injury.
They will be hoping the 27-year-old shakes the injury off in time for Friday’s Caf Champions League semifinal against Esperance in Tunisia.
Allende’s deflected short doubled his side’s lead three minutes after Mahlonoko nearly grabbed an equaliser.
The goal seemed to have spurred Swallows into action as they pulled one back through Mahlonoko six minutes later.
Mhango profited from what looked like an offside but the goal stood after referee Jelly Chavani consulted with his assistants.
With one eye on the trip to North Africa, Mokwena was able to rest his captain Themba Zwane. He will need all the firepower and creative spark upfront against Esperance who will provide a much stiffer test than Swallows.