Pirates the biggest winners as Chiefs hold Sundowns

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Kaizer Chiefs held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday, handing Orlando Pirates a lifeline in the Betway Premiership title race.

Chiefs did Mamelodi Sundowns no favours in the title race – and Orlando Pirates will be the happiest side not on the pitch at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday night.

Flavio Da Silva was the hero for Chiefs, pouncing on a disorganised Sundowns defence after a poor clearance to beat Ronwen Williams and score his eighth league goal of the season. It was against the run of play and it stung the hosts, who had dominated possession from the first whistle.

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Sundowns levelled through Brayan Leon early in the second half, but the night took another turn when Jayden Adams picked up a second yellow card for a dive just outside the Chiefs area.

Down to ten men, Sundowns threw everything at Chiefs in the closing stages. Three quickfire corners cranked up the pressure, but Petersen was equal to everything, capping his performance with a sensational late stop to deny Grant Kekana a free header from a set piece. Chiefs held firm.

The result carries serious consequences beyond the dropped points. Nathaniel Cupido was stretchered off with a suspected broken collarbone and is ruled out for the rest of the season including the CAF Champions League final.

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For Chiefs, Mduduzi Tshabalala also departed on a stretcher with a suspected dislocated shoulder, while Adams picks up a suspension alongside Siphesihle Ndlovu, who was booked in the first half.

Sundowns remain top on 65 points but Pirates, now on 62 with a game in hand, can draw level on points if they win that fixture – and with a goal difference of +41 to Sundowns’ +34, they would go ahead on goal difference. Pirates will wake up on Thursday with genuine belief they can win the league.

Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images

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Dylan Johnson