Mabasa rescues Stellies, helps Pirates lead

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Tshegofatso Mabasa, on loan to Stellenbosch from Orlando Pirates, did his parent club a big favour on Wednesday by equalising against Mamelodi Sundowns in a 1-1 Betway Premiership draw.

The stalemate at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria kept Pirates top of the table with 58 points having played 25 of their 30 matches. Sundowns have 57 points with one game in hand.

CAF Champions League finalists Sundowns are chasing a ninth consecutive Premiership title. Pirates were last champions in 2012.

After dominating possession and leading 1-0 through a 27th-minute goal from Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Sundowns conceded an 86th-minute penalty when Khulumani Ndamane fouled Chumani Butsaka.

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Substitute Mabasa had the resultant penalty kick parried by Sundowns captain Ronwen Williams, but the loanee reacted quickest to poke the rebound into the net.

Mabasa had the ball in the net again in added time, but was correctly ruled offside to the relief of rattled Sundowns, who began the match having won 10 straight league games.

“We were in complete control until a reckless foul gifted our opponents a penalty,” said Miguel Cardoso, the Portuguese coach of Sundowns.

“There were so many chances for us to increase our lead and we paid a heavy price for not converting any of them.”

Gavin Hunt has won five and drawn five of 11 Premiership matches in charge of Stellenbosch since replacing Tanzania-bound Steve Barker as coach in mid-season.

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“It was a magnificent performance by the boys. I told them at half-time to stay in the game and the chances will come.

“Sundowns may have had a lot of the ball, but they built up slowly and we were able to contain them with relative comfort. In the end, we could have won the match.”

Pirates face greatest rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a Soweto derby on Sunday. Sundowns are away to Richards Bay the same day.

–AFP

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

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Lukhanyo Gqokoma