Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United were forced to share the spoils in the Tshwane derby after playing out to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in the DStv Premiership on Wednesday evening.
The derby got off to a high tempo, with both teams looking to stamp their authority as they went in search of the opening goal.
Matías Esquivel should have handed Sundowns the lead in the 11th minute but fired his free-kick inches wide of the top corner.
The home side had another opportunity to take the lead eight minutes later when Teboho Mokoena unleashed a thunderous effort from distance but saw his effort fly over the upright.
Sundowns eventually took the lead on the half hour mark when Mokoena opened the scoring with a scream from distance leaving Washington Arubi with no chance of saving his effort.
SuperSport wasted no time in finding an equalising goal after finding the back of the net four minutes later through Bradley Grobler, who slotted home a Lyle Lakay free-kick.
Both sides pressed forward in the closing stages of the game, but their side could add to the scoreline as the game went into the break locked at 1-1.
Sundowns showed their intent and had two chances to restore their lead in the 46th and 48th minute through Esquivel and Lorch, but they could not penetrate the United goal.
The home team continued to push forward for the goal to put them ahead but struggled to break down the SuperSport defence after the hour mark.
Rulani Mokwena opted to bring on fresh legs in the 71st minute when he made a triple substitution by bringing on Sipho Mbule, Peter Shalulile, and Tashreeq Matthews in place of Lorch, Zwane, and Sirino.
Meanwhile, Gavin Hunt made some changes of his own when he made a double substitution by replacing Matodzi and Campbell with Gape Moralo and Thabang Mahlangu moments later.
Arubi came to his side’s rescue in the 81st minute when he came off his line to save Lunga’s looped ball into the area.
Mokwena used all of his substitutions three minutes later, as Esquivel and Lunga made way for Thapelo Morena and Junior Mendieta, while Hunt brought on Keegan Allan for Margeman.
Mbule had a chance to grab the match winner in stoppage time but fired his effort over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Neither side were able to find the winning goal as the game ended 1-1, with both sides sharing the spoils at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
