Staff Reporter.
Mamelodi Sundowns missed the chance to move top of the Betway Premiership table after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Marumo Gallants on Wednesday night.
Sundowns enjoyed most of the possession in the first half and they threatened as early as the fourth minute when Peter Shalulile forced Washington Arubi into a save with a shot from the edge of the box.
Alexandre Lafitte’s side created a couple of chances themselves and Ronwen Williams was called into action on eight minutes to keep out a shot from range.
However, Sundowns drew first blood just before the half-hour mark as Marcelo Allende did well to send in a cross from the right byline which was headed home by Igraam Rayners.
The hosts hit back just eight minutes later though, when Keanu Cupido diverted the ball into the back of his own net from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo’s cross.
It remained 1-1 at the break and Sundowns continued to see plenty of the ball in the second half, but they struggled to really test Arubi.
Sundowns did come close two minutes after the restart as substitute Tashreeq Matthews latched onto a chipped pass from Teboho Mokoena before hitting the side-netting from an angle.
There were no really big chances at either end for the remainder of the match, although Arubi and Williams were required to make two saves each.
Meanwhile Polokwane City earned maximum points in their latest Betway Premiership fixture, following a dramatic 2-1 win against Golden Arrows at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Elsewhere Richards Bay were denied three points by TS Galaxy and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in their return to the Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay and Stellenbosch FC poor start to the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season continued unabated when they were beaten 2-1 by hosts AmaZulu FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday evening.