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Sundowns drop points against Highlands

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Mamelodi Sundowns missed three chance to close the gap on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs after playing to a 1-1 draw against Highlands Park at the Dobsonville Stadium on Friday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

Gaston Sirino returned to Pitso Mosimane’s squad after serving a two-match suspension, while Sibusiso Vilkazi returned to the starting lineup after he was named on the bench in their previous game against Orlando Pirates.

Gaston Sirino returned to the Sundowns line-up after serving a two-match suspension while Sibusiso Vilakazi, who started off the bench against Orlando Pirates, also earned a recall.

The Lions of the North got off to the perfect start and managed to take the lead early on when Peter Shalulile put the ball in the net with a thunderous finish from inside the box.

Tapuwa Kapini came to his sides in the 35th minute when he made a good save to tip Themba Zwane’s effort over the crossbar.

Sundowns had another chance to level matters one minute later when Themba Zwane made an explosive run down the wing to slide the ball back to Gaston Sirino, who hit it first time but blazed his effort wide of goal.

The Brazilians’ persistence paid off as they drew level in the 39th minute after Sirino played an inch-perfect cross into the path of Siphelele Mkhulise, who beat Kapini with a beautiful header.

Kapini was called into action again three minutes later and made a great save down low to deny Ricardo Nascimento’s header from a corner.

Neither side could take the lead as the game went into the half time break level at one goal apiece.

Mosimane opted to make a double change early in the second half as Promise Mkhuma (Who makes his debut after getting promoted to the first team) and Keletso Makgalwa came on to replace Zwane and Vilakazi in attack.

Highlands nearly took the lead for the second time in the game after 63 minutes but Shalulile deflected his header wide of the upright.

Sundowns almost took the lead in the 73rd minute when Mkhuma managed to bring the ball down in the box to get a volley off but saw his shot sail over the target.

Mosimane made his third change of the game five minutes later when Nascimento was taken off in place of Wayne Arendse before introducing Anthony Laffor and Lyle Lakay for Hlompho Kekana and Sirino in stoppage time.

Lakay nearly handed Sundowns a late winner deep in stoppage time but curled his free-kick inches wide away from goal.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal as both teams shared the spoils at the Dobsonville Stadium.