Gallant Stellies ends Sundowns’ streak with last-gasp goal

By Michael Madyira

Stellenbosch FC put on a valiant display to stop Mamelodi Sundowns’ 15-game Premier Soccer League winning run following a 1-1 draw at a rain-soaked Danie Craven Stadium on Sunday.

After Cassius Mailula came off the bench to thrust Sundowns ahead in the 77th minute, Iqraam Rayners rescued a point for the Cape Winelands outfit from the penalty spot with three minutes to go.

It was a horror end for Masandawana who have been ruthless on the domestic front, but they found an unyielding Stellenbosch side that could have won this match.

Log leaders Sundowns will, however, take pride in still enjoying a healthy lead that takes the pressure off them in their title march.

Stellies went into Sunday’s contest on the back of three successive wins and they remain midtable after earning a point.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena looked overconfident going into this match and handed a PSL debut to 18-year-old midfielder Ntando Nkosi who was a surprise starter.

There was also a maiden start for defender Terrence Mashego while goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse and Rivaldo Coetzee were in the line-up for the first time this season.

Regulars like Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, Themba Zwane and Marcelo Allende were rested ahead of next weekend’s Caf Champions League clash with Al Ahly.

Stellies coach Steve Barker picked a familiar starting XI headlined by reported Kaizer Chiefs targets Junior Mendieta and Sibongiseni Mthethwa.

Sundowns’ first best chance of the match came five minutes before halftime when Thapelo Morena came close after being set up by Peter Shalulile who, a minute later, also missed in a face-to-face situation with the keeper.

Much threat was coming from the hosts and ten minutes into the second half, Mendieta narrowly missed the target with a bicycle kick.

Mailula then finished the spoils of a Shalulile failed effort by sneaking the ball through a forest of legs inside the box.

Stellenbosch kept on probing Sundowns and they were rewarded for their gallant performance when Van Wyk won them a penalty after being fouled by Sipho Mbule inside the box.

Rayners cooly slotted in from the spot as edge-of-the-seat stuff was witnessed in stoppage time when Tebho Mokoena was denied by the woodwork while Pieterse saved Rayners one-on-one. 

Pictured above: Stellenbosch FC take on Sundowns

Image source: Mamelodi Sundowns

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