Keanu Cupido of Mamelodi Sundowns challenges Thulani Gumdede of Richards Bay FC during the Betway Premiership.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
It was a Sunday of missed opportunities in the Betway Premiership, with title contenders Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns both being held to respective stalemates.
Pirates had to come from behind to level matters at 1-1 against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.
However, Sundowns could not take advantage of Pirates dropping two crucial points; a victory over Richards Bay would have seen the defending champions surge back to the top of the table. Instead, Miguel Cardoso’s team was forced to hold on for a goalless draw against an inspired Natal Rich Boyz outfit.
It was Sundowns’ second successive draw after also sharing the points with Stellenbosch earlier in the week.
Cardoso recalled central defender Keanu Cupido and midfielder Jayden Adams, while also keeping faith with Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners in the attack.
Cupido’s presence in the heart of Sundowns’ defence was integral to the Brazilians leaving KwaZulu-Natal with a point.
The former Cape Town City stalwart made timely interceptions in both halves to keep Sundowns’ clean sheet intact. Cupido was particularly excellent when he put his body on the line in the 75th minute to deny Richards Bay’s Lundi Mahala, with Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams out of position.
The home team had another excellent chance when Sanele Barns was put through on goal. Barns rifled his first attempt straight at Williams, who pulled off an excellent save, but the rebound fell straight into the path of the former Stellenbosch FC star, who floated his second attempt over the crossbar.
Sundowns had a golden chance to steal victory at the death when Namibian frontman Peter Shalulile almost made a fairytale comeback after coming off the bench late in the second half.
The PSL’s all-time top scorer, who has made only six appearances since January, received the ball inside the box, turned, and swiveled in trademark fashion before unleashing a shot that went just inches wide of the left post.
To compound Sundowns’ misery on the night, they also lost Arthur Sales to an injury in the first half, with the Brazilian limping off the field holding his right side. Sales was replaced by Monnapule Saleng.
Pirates, therefore, are still only a point ahead of Sundowns, who now only have one game in hand on the Buccaneers.
Elsewhere, Polokwane City broke their sequence of defeats with a decisive late goal from Manuel Kambala in injury time to drive the hosts to a 1-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The relegation scrap between Magesi FC and TS Galaxy also played out to a goalless draw.
FULL SUNDAY RESULTS ROUND-UP
Orlando Pirates 1 - 1 Kaizer Chiefs
Richards Bay 0 - 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Polokwane City 1 - 0 Stellenbosch FC
TS Galaxy 0 - 0 Magesi FC