Orlando Pirates will wrap up 2025 as Betway Premiership leaders after 10-man Mamelodi Sundowns were frustrated to a 1-1 draw by Siwelele FC at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Wednesday.
Starting the evening with a chance to reclaim their place at the PSL summit, the Brazilians were held for a share of spoils as they ended the year two points fewer than Orlando Pirates. Masandawana will also not get into the New Year while at the top of the table for the first time since the 2019/20 season.
From the team that started against MC Alger in last week’s CAF Champions League showdown, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso dropped left-back Divine Lunga for Aubrey Modiba.
Siwelele went into the contest without suspended midfielder Relebogile Mokhuoane, and Gape Moralo was called in to replace him.
Masandawana’s Portuguese coach was forced to make a substitute as early as the fifth minute when injured centre-back Grant Kekena limped off the pitch to be replaced by Kegan Johannes.
Bafana captain Ronwen Williams then gifted the hosts their opening goal after 27 minutes when he failed to clear a back pass from Johannes. That left the ball in the path of Tebogo Potsane to set up Vincent Pule, who made no mistake, finishing into an empty net for his second goal of the season.
LIVELY SECOND HALF AS SUNDOWNS RESPOND
After a slow start to the game for Sundowns, the home side threatened to extend their lead when play resumed following the break. But Siwelele lacked the sucker punch before Masandawana brought themselves into the game for a fiery contest.
Substitute Themba Zwane attempted to hit back for the Brazilians in the 67th minute but blazed his effort over the bar from inside the box. Another substitute Lebo Mothiba, then levelled matters with 16 minutes to go as he scrambled the ball home from an attack which Iqraaam Rayners looked likely to score. It was Mothiba’s first goal of the season.
Shortly after, Rayners missed the target, at close range, in his attempt to connect a cross from Nuno Santos. With the match now precariously poised, Sundowns went a man down nine minutes before time when Teboho Mokoena was red-carded.
Siwelele saw Nyiko Mobbie and Lyle Lakay missing two glorious chances in the final four minutes of the contest.
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