Downs can’t break unbeaten Chiefs
A HIGHVELD storm threatened FNB Stadium towards the end of this encounter. In the end the thunder and lightning held off, as did any late dramatics on the pitch to separate Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Sundowns had the greater intent in attack, but are not quite at their fluent best, crucial against arguably the best defence in the Premiership.
Chiefs opted for a caution-first approach, and a draw suited them better, preserving a 12point lead for the 2012-13 title winners over the defending champions.
Sundowns took the lead through Teko Modise in the 54th minute, with George Lebese equalising in the 67th.
Amakhosi, unbeaten still after 11 games, might have extended their lead to 15 points ELATION: Sundowns’ Teko Modise celebrates his goal against Chiefs at the FNB Stadium yesterday with a more adventurous approach. But the “Gautrain” might have lost too, and given the rest of the PSL hope.
Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane made five changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Platinum Stars in the Telkom Knockout semifinals. Kennedy Mweene returned at goalkeeper for Denis Onyango. Alje Schut and Mzikayise Mashaba came into the defence for Mario Booysen and Tebogo Langerman. Themba Zwane and Bongani Zungu replaced Lebohang Mokoena and Elias Pelembe in attack.
Much of Sundowns’ floundering form has been down to Mosimane being seemingly unable to find his best combination.
And it was indicative of Chiefs’ metronomic consistency that Amakhosi coach Stuart Baxter could make just the one change. Bafana Bafana stalwart Mulomowandau Mathoho replaced former national star Morgan Gould at centre back.
Sundowns’ rhythm is not at the well-oiled best of the 10match winning run that saw them steam to last season’s title. They had a good share of possession and territory against a Chiefs side absorbing pressure for the first half-hour, but the Brazilians could not find the attacking spark to ignite a genuine chance.
This had been billed as a bout between heavyweight contenders, but the first half did not rise to much more than a slapping contest, not helped by referee Thando Ndzanzeka’s constant stoppages.
Sundowns had been fairly toothless in attack, and Chiefs seemed not overly concerned with attempting to capitalise.
It was a better start to the second half for Amakhosi. Lebese’s angled pass found Nkhatha on the right, who dithered to see his shot blocked.
But Chiefs might have rued their cautious approach when Sundowns took the lead in the 54th minute. Modise, teed up by Cuthbert Malajila a metre out of the area, just to the left, curled a pretty strike past Khuzwayo into the top-right corner.
It should have been 2-0 when Modise’s pass released Malajila, but the Zimbabwean struck high and wide. Finally the home side were galvanised into some real attacking action and equalised. A simple move saw the ball worked from Siphiwe Tshabalala on the right, via Nkhatha and substitute Bernard Parker to Lebese on the left, who stood tall and swept past Mweene into the far corner.