Mamelodi Sundowns were frustrated by Marumo Gallants as they drew 1-1 in their DStv Premiership clash at Loftus Stadium on Thursday evening.
The log leaders had hoped to return to winning ways at home after suffering their first league defeat of the season in their last match away to AmaZulu.
While they only picked up one point in their final two games of 2021, they sit on 44 points after 19 games, currently 15 points ahead of Stellenbosch. If Orlando Pirates or AmaZulu win Thursday’s final game, that gap could be cut to 14 points. Gallants end the year in 11th position.
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-1 Marumo Gallants
There was a good chance for Aubrey Modiba in the second minute after being played in by captain-on-the-day Andile Jali, but King Ndlovu did well to save at his feet. Ndlovu made two saves again in the eighth minute, first another shot from Modiba, before the former Black Leopards man stopped a Themba Zwane shot.
Gallants had a good chance in the 13th minute but Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo’s effort bounced off the upright, before Sibusiso Kumalo saw his chance blocked by a defender. Ndlondlo had another chance two minutes later but Ricardo Goss made a comfortable stop.
But it was Sundowns with the initiative and time and time again they made in roads into the Gallants box, but just not finding the final shot.
Against the run of play Gallants were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Ricardo Nascimento’s hand as Katlego Otladisa attempted a cross. Ndlondlo stepped up to take the spot kick, and beat Goss to make it 1-0 to the visitors in the 33rd minute.
However the lead didn’t last long, Lesedi Kapinga equalising in the 36th minute with a composed finish from inside the box.
Two minutes later, Brian Onyango’s header was cleared off the line, and while there were more half chances, at the break it remained 1-1.
The second half saw fewer clear cut chances, though Kapinga forced Ndlovu to make a stop in the 50th minute, while Gallants had a good chance in the 68th minute, Goss making a diving save to deny Ndlondlo.
Gift Motupa came off the bench, and his first touch of the ball in the 70th minute was shooting wide. Ndlondlo tried to catch Goss off his line in the 82nd minute with an attempt from his own half, but the Sundowns keeper got back comfortably.
Ndlondlo had another chance in the 87th minute, but he went wide of the goal, while Miguel Timm shot over in the 90th minute.
Sundowns will rue the opportunities they missed in the first half, as they drop points at home.
