Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday evening, with both teams missing the chance to gain on log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

The Brazilians had a quick turnaround from their success in the Telkom Knockout on Saturday afternoon as coach Pitso Mosimane made just the one change from the team who won the trophy against Maritzburg United.

They, however, came up against a Wits side who have also been competing in continental competitions and were just as desperate for the points as both sides looked to grab back the advantage enjoyed by Chiefs at the top of the table.

It was the Clever Boys who made the better start as Thulani Hlatshwayo was provided with an early chance to open the scoring. The Bafana Bafana captain fluffed his lines, though, and was quickly punished for his miss when Gaston Sirino fired Downs into the lead with 15 minutes gone.

Andile Jali was their main architect as he won the ball back before pushing up the right flank and whipping in an inch-perfect pass to Themba Zwane, who in turn squared it to Sirino, leaving the Uruguayan with a simple tap-in.

Zwane then had a big chance to double his side’s lead with 35 minutes played after Mauricio Affonso’s cushioned header set the forward up for a strike on goal, but the Bafana Bafana man could not find the target.

It was Gavin Hunt’s men who had the last word in the first half, though, as they won the ball high up the field before Dion Hotto picked out Gift Motupa in the Sundowns box, making no mistake in finishing with a flying header.

That led to 1-1 at the break with both teams firmly in this clash.

Zwane was proving to be hard to handle for Wits and the forward should’ve had his second score seven minutes after the restart, but again he failed to find the target after exchanging a beautiful one-two with Sphelele Mkhulise on the right side of the box.

The game began to open up in the second half with Downs looking to control the pace and tempo while Wits seemed dangerous on the break, but again it was the Brazilians who went close as Motjeka Madisha smashed the crossbar with a towering header with an hour played.

Both coaches then turned to their benches hoping for a winner, but neither side could carve out the big chance as they had to settle for a point apiece at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.