Sangweni’s equalising goal saves Chilliboys on their home ground

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a second successive draw to lose ground in the Premier Soccer League race as Chippa United came back to hold the champions to a 1-1 draw in Port Elizabeth last night.

Sundowns, whose form on the road has been much better than in Pretoria, were slow in asserting their dominance but once they had established control took a deserved first half-lead.

But Chippa did not wilt in front of their home crowd at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and launched a strong second half reguard action and were richly rewarded when Thami Sangweni equalised on the hour mark.

A quick counter attack in the 30th minute saw Cuthbert Malajila claim his fourth league goal of the season, as he slid home a square pass from Zimbabwean compatriot Khama Billiat, to give Sundowns the lead.

The attack had been launched by quick thinking goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene after he had thwarted a chance for David Zulu at the other end in what turned out to be Chippa’s only real opportunity of the first half. The home side showed plenty of application but were let down by consistently poor decision-making, particularly the busy looking William Thwala whose shooting from range was poor. But after the break Chippa got their act together and made one or two chances before Thwala was fouled on the edge of the box.

Sangweni, on loan from Sundowns, stepped up to convert a brilliant free kick that Mweene had no chance of stopping. Sundowns will be ruing their policy to allow players loaned out to other clubs to now play against them.

Sangweni later picked up a needless second caution and was sent off with eight minutes remaining, leaving Chippa to close up shop for the final exchanges.

Sundowns players will be feeling the bruises today after coming off second in several midfield challenges, particularly with Chippa’s Nigerian hard man Ogonna Uzochukwu. Teko Modise had to be taken off at half-time after one of the challenges.