Mamelodi Sundowns edged closer to becoming the PSL’s first-ever Invincible side after playing to a 1-1 draw against TS Galaxy in a drama-filled DStv Premiership clash at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Rockets took the game to the visitors. In the second minute, they created half a chance when Lehlohonolo Mojela showed his pace to get past Mosa Lebusa before lining up a cross. However, it was too close to Rowen Williams who made a comfortable safe.
In the fourth minute, Sphiwe Mahlangu got on the end of a shot just outside the Sundowns box but it hardly troubled Williams and landed safely in his hands.
Puso Dithejane and Marcello Allende almost traded blows in the 15th minute after the Chilean was brought down by Mpho Mvelase. Dithejane stepped on Allende’s toes before the Chilean pumped his chest forward. Both sets of players then jumped in on the action which needed intervention from the match officials.
Sundowns almost found themselves trailing in the 24th minute when a right-side cross from Dithejane found Mahlangu one-on-one with Williams. The Bafana Bafana shotstopper however came out tops to deny Galaxy the opener.
Three minutes later, Mvelase put the ball in the back of the net after Williams failed to hold on to a shot from the edge of the box but the former Orlando Pirates man was flagged offside.
It was the visitors’ chance to have a crack at goal and Rivaldo Coetzee did just that in the 35th minute. He unleashed a venomous shot from 40 yards out which Fiacre Ntwari parried back into play. Allende followed up the rebound but his header sailed wide for a goal kick.
In the 42nd minute, Rulani Mokwena showed his displeasure on the touchline after Tashreeq Matthews was brought down in the box by Mvelase but the referee waved play on.
The hosts picked up from where they left off in the first half with the high intensity and provided themselves yet another opportunity. Mvelase again in the thick of action met Sebelebele’s cross at the near post but his shot was deflected for a corner kick.
Dithejane’s curler in the 55th minute was well saved by Williams from just inside the 18-yard box.
Substitute Mothobi Mvala produced Sundowns’ best chance in the 64th minute. The Bafana defender met Neo Maema’s cross in the box but his glancing header sailed just over the Galaxy crossbar.
Six minutes later, the Sundowns bench and players were up in arms after Siyabonga Mabena looked to have been tripped inside the box. The ref waved played on once again.
Sphelele Mkhulise was lucky not to have been sent for an early shower a minute later after shoving Mojela to the ground.
Twelve minutes before time, Galaxy’s resilience finally paid off when Dithejane’s shot from outside the box found the back of the net as the hosts opened the scoring.
When it looked as if the Rockets would become the first team to beat Sundowns this season, Aubrey Modiba whipped in a cross before Peter Shalulile jumped high to score the equaliser in the 85th minute for his ninth goal of the season.
