Mamelodi Sundowns maintained their unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership following their 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Fourth-place Galaxy’s Puso Dithejane took the lead in the northern city of Mbombela after 78 minutes, and Namibian Peter Shalulile tied the score in an exciting match that lasted 85 minutes.

Dithejane smashed the ball past goalie Ronwen Williams of Sundowns and into the net off the post. After Aubrey Modiba crossed the ball, Shalulile headed the equaliser at the near post.

In added time, Teboho Mokoena, the substitute who had been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, nearly won the game for the Pretoria team.

Sundowns will become the first Premiership team to finish a league season undefeated if they manage to avoid loss against seventh-place Cape Town City at home on Saturday in the final round.

For Galaxy, the stakes are much higher because victory over Polokwane City guarantees fourth place and automatic entry into the CAF Confederation Cup, Africa’s version of the UEFA Europa League.

“We do not have million-dollar players, but we do have million-dollar attitudes,” said Sead Ramovic, the German coach of Galaxy.

Read: Ramovic: Sundowns must buy Mbappe, Ronaldo & Messi to beat us

He was drawing comparisons between his side, which is mainly made up of obscure South Africans, and Sundowns’ lavishly assembled team, which included five South Americans.

“My team played with so much energy only to let themselves down by not taking more scoring opportunities. Finishing is an aspect of our game that has to improve,” added Ramovic.

Read: Mokwena: It’s the ‘worst game’ I’ve ever been involved in

After Sundowns lost to rivals SuperSport United in September 2022, rival coach Rulani Mokwena praised the team’s tenacity.

“We struggled at times tonight, but refused to give in. The legs of some players became heavy toward the end, but our magnificent mentalities came to the rescue.”

Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix