Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by their crosstown rivals SuperSport United in the DStv Premiership Tshwane derby on Tuesday night at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Teboho Mokoena scored the first goal of the match, giving Sundowns a lead while Bradley Grobler equalised for United.
The match began with a high intensity with both sides seeking to catch each other in the critical phase of the game. Sundowns dominated early exchanges and had the lion’s share of possession.
In the 11th minute, Matias Esquivel nearly put the home side ahead when his well-taken free-kick hit the roof of the net after dipping a little bit late.
A few minutes later, Teboho Mokoena made a long-range attempt, looking to beat Washington Arubi, however, the ball went a few inches wide of the SuperSport goal.
In the 24th minute, Sundowns were denied a penalty after Siphesihle Ndlovu seemingly brought down Thembinkosi Lorch in the box. The former Orlando Pirates winger was given a yellow card for simulation.
The Brazilians kept on knocking hard on Arubi’s posts.
TEBOHO MOKOENA OPENED THE SCORING WITH A STUNNER FROM DISTANCE
They were rewarded when Mokoena opened the scoring, hitting a stunner from a distance to give them a lead. But it was short-lived as Bradley Grobler responded after four minutes to level the scoreline.
Just five minutes before the interval, Lorch wasted a glorious chance to reclaim Sundowns’ lead. He ballooned the ball over the bar with a same-time shot after a loop pass from Bongani Zungu.
Three minutes after coming back from the break, Lorch called Arubi into action with a vicious shot in the box. The Zimbabwean ‘keeper parried the ball away to deny the hosts a second goal.
Bafana Ba Style continued with their dominance in possession and creation of opportunities, attempting to make a way in the visitors’ defence.
SuperSport had a few exciting moments upfront in search of a second goal to upset the home side.
In the 69th minute, Rulani Mokwena made attack-minded changes bringing on Tashreeq Matthews, Sipho Mbule and Peter Shalulile. He took off Themba Zwane, Gaston Sirino and Lorch.
While the league champions kept on coming at the away side, SuperSport United were astute and alert to everything that was thrown their way. The two crosstown rivals shared the spoils as neither of them could rattle the winning goal.
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