Sundowns, SuperSport draw in Tshwane derby

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Saturday Feb 24, 2018. 20:23

Percy Tau's second-half goal gave Mamelodi Sundowns a vital point in their Absa Premiership 1-1 draw against SuperSport United on Saturday evening at Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Despite the stalemate, Sundowns remain placed at the summit with 40 points from 22 games.

On the other hand, the visitors found the back of the net early through Thabo Mnyamane.

Sundowns were quick to settle down and Tau made a run on the right and delivered a cross which was collected by Ronwen Williams to deny Khama Billiat from close range in the in the eighth minute.

Against the run of play, Mnyamane scored for the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup finalists in the 11th minute when he beat Denis Onyango on his left corner after catching Sundowns’ defence napping.

With five minutes to go to the tunnel, the hosts had a good passage of play and they forced Williams to produce another fine save to deny Themba Zwane from a header on the far post.

A minute later, Morgan Gould would see his effort going wide on the left of Onyango’s post, the defender was unmarked and couldn’t believe his miss.

Both sides made substitutions at the resumption of the second half, but Pitso Mosimane’s change nearly paid dividends when Sibusiso Vilakazi’s effort went wide in the 52nd minute.

Two minutes later, Gaston Sirino would see his attempt from a set piece hitting the woodwork and Williams had to produce a superb save to deny Sundowns from a glancing header on the rebound.

Towards the hour mark, SuperSport resorted to counter attacks and Evans Rusike came close to making it 2-0 when he beat Onyango, who was out of his line, but his effort hit the upright.

Sundowns would survive a scare when Rusike was adjudged to have come from an offside position as he beat Onyango for pace for the second time - the decision left United’s bench furious.

As the hosts continued to probe, Amatsantsantsa A Pitori finally cracked when Hlompho Kekana picked out Tau from a set piece to beat two defenders and the forward slotted home, 1-1.

With nine minutes to go, Onyango showed his class to deny Clayton Daniels from a point blank range from substitute Thuso Phala’s brilliant pass.


The draw leaves United placed at the 11th spot on the log standings with 26 points - they have eight matches left to wrap up their campaign.

Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 1 (Tau 77’)

SuperSport United (1) 1 (Mnyamane 11’)

Mamelodi Sundowns: Onyango, Langerman, Morena, Madisha, Nascimento, Manyisa, Billiat (Vilakazi 50’), Kekana, Sirino (Brockie 86’), Zwane, Tau

SuperSport United: Williams, Nhlapo, Kekana, Gould, Daniels, Boateng (Bhasera 46’), Letsholonyane, Furman, Mokoena, Mnyamane (Phala 64’), Rusike (Egwuekwe 90’)