Mamelodi Sundowns fell two games short of matching Kaizer Chiefs’ record 17 league wins in a row while Masandawana’s 15-match winning streak ended in a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch on Sunday afternoon in Cape Town.
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However, if you are talking about spoiled selection, you are talking about Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena who has the luxury of making seven changes to his team and is still undefeated. Mokwena attacked an almost unrecognizable Masandawana side.
Sundowns started without some regular starters such as Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Ronwen Williams, Rushine De Reuck, and Mothobi Mvala, just to name a few.
The Sundowns coach gave several players their debuts, while Reyaad Pieterse made his first appearance of the season and only his 11th start in three seasons.
The starting half may have failed to produce a goal, but this was not due to a lack of attempts as both sides were putting in a lot of effort to find the net, with the Stellies’ chances usually falling to Junior Mendieta.
The Argentine attempted a spectacular goal in the 10th minute when he received a cross from Devin Titus on the right, but Pieterse was able to do so with ease.
Mokwena made a change in the 65th minute, bringing on the likes of Cassius Mailula, Aubrey Modiba and the troubled Sipho Mbule, who had reportedly been training under the influence of recreational drink.
And the change proved to be a master stroke for Mokwena as Mailula slotted in to score his eighth goal of the season, giving Downs the lead. It came from a move on the left, with Neo Maema’s corner kick that narrowly headed Peter Shalulile, down to Mailula, who toe-poked to ensure Sundowns got the advantage.
However, the script was not the same for Mbule, who was awarded a penalty in the 85th minute when he tackled Qobolwakhe Sibande in the box. Iqraam Rayners stepped up to steal a point for his team, putting an end to Sundowns’ 15-game winning run.
Meanwhile, in the other DStv Premier League match played on Saturday evening, AmaZulu beat Chippa United 2-0 with Junior Dion and Mbongeni Gumede scoring for Usuthu. Marumo Gallants and TS Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw.