Gavin heads into Fifa break a happy man as Pitso fumes at assistant ref

A 1-1 draw seemed a fair result, although the two coaches will probably disagree. The clash between the 2017 PSL champions Wits and the current title holders in hosts Mamelodi Sundowns had the potential to turn this fixture into a Super Sunday clash.

But they matched each other to share the spoils. Wits took the first half, pressing Sundowns in the opening minutes and nearly getting rewarded for it when Terrence Dzvukamanja caught the flat-footed Downs defence by surprise with his headed attempt that hit the post and went back into play just two minutes into the game.

Wits were pretty much in control, with Sundowns’ best chance falling to striker Toni Silva, who forced a save out of Darren Keet.

The second half was a lot different – the Brazilians more assertive, especially after Silva made way for speedster Phakamani Mahlambi. But Wits soon contained their ex-player, although captain Hlompho Kekana had been set up by Gaston Sirino to help Sundowns break the deadlock by then.

With a bit of shade on the pitch after the scorching heat earlier, the tempo of the game seemed to help both sides. Wits continued to fluff their chances and eventually had to rely on a well taken free-kick from Keagan Ritchie to draw level.

There was a controversial moment during the referee’s optional time when goalie Keet appeared to handle the ball outside his penalty area when Sibusiso Vilakazi attempted a lob for what would have been the winner.

Downs coach Pitso Mosimane was so livid that he charged at the assistant referee during and after the game believing that Sundowns should have been awarded a free-kick and Keet sent off.

His counterpart Gavin Hunt would have been the happier of the two coaches as the Clever Boys remain top of the PSL standings after nine matches going into the Fifa international break.