Mamelodi Sundowns failed to move 11 points clear at the top of the DStv Premiership standings after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch FC at the Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday evening.
Sundowns got off to a great start and had two early attempts to break the deadlock in the opening 10 minutes, but Haashim Domingo and Lyle Lakay were unable to find the back of the net.
The visitors had another opportunity to take the lead after 19 minutes when Lakay played a free kick into the path of Mosa Lebusa, but the Stellies defenders made the interception before he could make any contact with the ball inside the box.
Stellies had a chance of their own three minutes later after Junior Mendieta played an inviting cross into the ball, but Grant Kekana was well positioned to clear the ball from danger with the ball destined to reach Stanley Dimgba.
Thabiso Kutumela should have handed Sundowns the lead three minutes after the half-hour mark but the attacker saw his shot saved by Stellies keeper Sage Stephens.
The home side were then awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute after Ashley Du Preez was fouled in the box. Mendieta stepped up and made no mistake to convert the penalty as the game went into the half-time break.
Sundowns looked to find an early equaliser in the second half but Lebusa and Kutumela were unable to direct their efforts on target.
The Brazilians made their first substitution of the game after 56 minutes of play when Domingo was taken off and replaced by Pavol Safranko.
Sundowns eventually managed to draw the game level two minutes later when Lakay unleashed a strike from a distance to beat Stephens and find the back of the net.
Lakay had a chance to complete his brace in the 66th minute but saw his thunderous free kick flash over the crossbar.
Safranko came to Sundowns’ rescue in the 73rd minute when he produced a powerful defensive header to clear the ball away from the danger of Stellies’ threatening free kick into the area.
The visitors opted to make a double substitution in the 80th minute after Kermit Erasmas and Aubrey Modiba was brought on to replace Kutumela and Zwane.
Sundowns should have put the game to bed a minute later when Lakay unleashed a strike with the outside of his boot, which forced the Stellies goalkeeper to get down low to make the save at the far post before Erasmus tried to catch Stephens off line with a free kick but saw his effort sail inches over the bar.
Both teams pressed forward in the closing stages searching for the winner, but were forced to settle for a point each after the game ended 1-1 at the Danie Craven Stadium.
