Mamelodi Sundowns were held by Moroka Swallows as they squandered a 2-0 lead to drop the points at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday night. Sundowns came to the DStv Premiership clash on the back of a penalty win in the Nedbank Cup over the University of Pretoria on Friday night.
Masandawana looked flat in some parts of the match as the coach Rulani Mokwena cited fatigue and squad rotation ahead of the match. The clash was a perfect opportunity for Sundowns to stretch their lead at the summit of the log table, but it was not meant to be.
Swallows vs Sundowns: The Birds Fight Back
Sundowns started like a house on fire as they dominated possession and were on the front foot looking to get an early goal, but Swallows stood firm and kept their net empty. The visitors had the first shot on target of the game after Marcelo Allende produced a cross finding Thembinkosi Lorch whose header went straight to Swallows keeper, Daniel Akpeyi.
Sundowns kept on knocking, and Lucas Ribeiro found the shortest man on the field Allende with a good cross but the header went again straight to Akpeyi. In a swift response, Swallows had a glorious opportunity inside 11 minutes after a good free-kick played into the box but the Burkina Faso national Roland Sanou failed to convert.
Swallows vs Sundowns: Mokoena Scores a Stunner
The Brazilians saw their efforts rewarded in the 37th minute after Swallows failed to clear their line and Teboho Mokoena pulled a stunning shot with no chance for Akpeyi. Immediately after scoring Mokoena asked to be taken out as he looked injured, and Sipho Mbule replaced him. Sundowns went to the break with a 1-0 lead, as they looked to extend their unbeaten run.
In their return from the tunnel, Sundowns started the second half where they left off. They got awarded after Allende took a shot that took a deflection on Kwanda Mngonyama before going past Akpeyi to make it 2-0.
Swallows Rally to Hold Sundowns
The Tshwane giants looked flat and exhausted and they crumbled under pressure. Swallows would score in the 57th minute as they pulled one back after a good free-kick that found Everson in the box, Ronwen Williams made a save straight to Augustine Mahlonoko’s feet, and he made no mistake.
As they wasted their chances, Sundowns failed to clear their lines and with five minutes left to play, defender Divine Lunga committed an error allowing Gabadinho Mhango to convert making it 2-2. Meanwhile, Sundowns continue to lead the log table as they opened the gap by 14 points over second-placed Stellenbosch and still have one game in hand.
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