A late goal from Chippa United earned them a point after playing to a 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the Absa Premiership on Wednesday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The Chili Boys came into this encounter after grabbing a point during their goalless draw with new boys Stellenbosch FC at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the opening day of the new campaign.

Chippa currently sit in 10th place in the league standings after grabbing one point from their first game of the 2019-20 season.

Meanwhile, the Brazilians secured the bragging rights in their first Tshwane derby of the new season after claiming a 2-0 victory over SuperSport United at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Sundowns currently occupy eight place on the PSL table with three points from their opening game.

Sundowns showed their intent early on and produced the first attempt on goal in the second minute when captain Hlompho Kekana unleashed a strike from distance, but his shot sailed wide of the target.

Themba Zwane had a chance to hand his side the lead in the 17th minute when he tried his luck from distance but the Sundowns attacker failed to hit the target as he blazed his effort wide of goal.

Chippa produced a chance of their own 10 minutes later when Thank Rakhale made his way into the area before striking a shot at goal, but Denis Onyango was on hand to deny the midfielder’s shot from a tight angle.

Sibusiso Vilakazi nearly gave Sundowns the lead just after the half-hour mark when his thunderous strike skimmed the wrong side of the post.

Sundowns’ persistence paid off as they took the lead in the 35th minute when Lebohang Maboe slotted the ball home after a goal-mouth scramble inside the box.

The Brazilians held on to their narrow lead over Chippa as the game went into half time.

Patrick Tignyemb came to his side’s rescue early in the second half when he made a clearance off his line to deal with Zwane’s goal-bound effort.

Sundowns had a chance to double their lead in the 54th minute but Vilakazi saw his shot blocked inside the area.

Onyango came to his side’s rescue two minutes later when he flew through the air to get a hand to the ball from a well-placed Chippa shot.

Vilakazi had a great chance to extend their lead in the 59th minute when he showed his composure to bring down the ball before unleashing a shot, but the attacker saw his effort sail over the target.

Sundowns made their second change of the game after 72nd minute when Tiyani Mabunda came on to replace Sammy Seabi.

Tignyemb produced a fine save to keep the scoreline at 1-0 when he denied Vilakazi’s first-time strike.

Keletso Makgalwa came close to making it 2-0 to Sundowns when he skipped past two defenders outside the area to pull the trigger from distance, but his effort sailed over the upright.

Pitso Mosimane made his final change three minutes later when he introduced Phakamani Mahlambi, who replaced Maboe.

With a minute to play, Chippa levelled matters when Motjeka Madisha headed the ball into his own net after failing his side to clear the danger from a corner.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal in the closing stages of the game as they shared the spoils at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.