Things get tight at top of PSL table
Just four points separated leaders Mamelodi Sundowns from fourth-placed Cape Town City after a dramatic day in the Absa Premiership title race on Saturday.
Defending champions Sundowns appeared in danger of losing the top spot they gained only three days ago after being held 0-0 at home by Bloemfontein Celtic, who lie seventh.
That result meant 2017 champions Wits would regain first place if they beat Cape Town at home, but they blew a two-goal halftime lead to crash 3-2 in Johannesburg.
Orlando Pirates, who last won the league title seven years ago, took advantage of Wits’s collapse to edge midtable Golden Arrows 1-0 in Durban and rise to second.
Sundowns have 40 points with a game in hand, Pirates 39, Wits 38 and Cape Town 36.
With eight rounds left, the stage is set for a thrilling climax.
Sundowns continue to suffer from poor finishing and it cost them victory over Celtic, who conceded three goals when losing at home to strugglers Free State Stars last weekend.
“This title race is difficult,” Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane conceded , “and the club that can string together a run of victories will become champions.” Wits looked set to take advantage of the draw in Pretoria as they established a 2-0 lead over Cape Town thanks to goals from Thulani Hlatshwayo and Gift Motupa.
South Africa captain Hlatshwayo sneaked into the box to nod a cross past Dutch goalkeeper Peter Leeuwenburgh on 29 minutes and Motupa calmly slotted a penalty just before halftime.
Fired up by a tongue-lashing from coach Benni McCarthy, City pulled one back through Kermit Erasmus just a minute into the second half.
Amethyst Ralani levelled soon after with a shot that may not have crossed the goalline and a brilliantly struck Riyaad Norodien free-kick on 68 minutes won the match.
“We were so lethargic during the first half,” former SA star McCarthy admitted.
“It is not the first time this season we have taken 45 minutes before waking up.”
Wits coach Gavin Hunt seemed shattered by the sixth league loss of the season, with five at their 5,000-seat home ground.
“City walked through our defence, which is packed with national team players. “How can that be?
“Our opponents had three chances and scored three goals.”
A curling shot by Zambian Justin Shonga from just inside the box after a corner thrust Pirates into the heart of the title chase and kept Arrows in the bottom half.